‘I Just Like The Way We Played’: LeBron James Opens Up About New-Look Philadelphia 76ers Beating New York Knicks On Opening Night
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks‘ ring night was spoiled by the new-look Philadelphia 76ers, as LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe went into Madison Square Garden and beat the defending NBA champions by a final score of 106-100.
The 76ers were led by Maxey, who scored a game-high 28 points in 40 minutes. James had 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his Philadelphia debut, Brown put up 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game with his new team, Embiid finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks and Edgecombe chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
After the game, James spoke about the 76ers’ impressive win against the Knicks.
“I just like the way we played,” James said. “We were sharing the ball. We got the ball moving from one side to another. Guys felt in a good rhythm, and just like you said, KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) was huge. Ant (Anfernee Simons) was huge too, obviously.”
Caldwell-Pope, who won the 2020 NBA championship with James on the Los Angeles Lakers, scored 10 points in 26 minutes, while Simons had 13 points in 25 minutes and made three shots from beyond the arc.
LeBron Happy For Knicks Fans
Before the game, the Knicks raised their 2025-26 championship banner.
It was an emotional moment for the Madison Square Garden crowd, and James — a four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP — said he’s happy for Knickerbocker fans.
“It was a great night for New York fans,” James said. “Obviously it’s something, like you said, 50-plus years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. So I mean the fans will never forget this moment, will never forget that championship run, and we’re happy that we just able to come and play on such a historical night in a historical building and play the game that we love.”
The Knicks take on Brown’s old team, the Boston Celtics, next, while the 76ers play James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
