Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James shouts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York.
Frank Franklin II/AP
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Frank Franklin II/AP
NEW YORK – LeBron James got the deal from the always jubilant and overexcited Knicks fans during the NBA championship banner celebration.
As he walked to the Philadelphia 76ers’ free throw line at the start of Tuesday night’s season opener, Knicks fans rushed toward James chanting “We don’t want you! We don’t want you!”
Such a rude welcome from New Yorkers to one of the city’s newest residents.
The cries of rejection came in part because there was a plausible scenario in which James would have opened the season at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform.
James and his agent, Rich Paul, had said the Knicks would have been James’ first choice in free agency if New York had not won its first NBA championship since 1973 last season.
Knicks fans said, it’s all good.
James, 41, had the last laugh as the Sixers won 106-100.
James spoke with fans from the lower level. Yes, that was Spike Lee trying to play the peacemaker.
James finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and had plenty of help in getting the W from the new and leftover Sixers. Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Jaylen Brown 19, Joel Embiid 13 points and 11 rebounds, and the Sixers spoiled the Knicks’ championship party.
A good night in New York totally wasted? Not quite, according to James.
“I wouldn’t say that,” James said. “It was a great night for New York fans. Over fifty years. I was a part of it at a time when we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget that moment.”
James’ first basket for the Sixers wasn’t as memorable. He took a pass from Embiid in the paint and went up for an uncontested layup from the right-hander.
Just two points. Just a bucket of what the Sixers expect to be much more over the next two seasons as the NBA’s career scoring leader opened his record-breaking 24th season.
Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks’ championship banner hung from the rafters as James sat nearby on the bench with his head bowed and his hands clasped.
The banner was in fact raised during a pre-match ceremony.
It’s the same kind of celebration the 76ers expect from James, Embiid and the rest of a strong starting lineup on opening night next season.
It’s the thrill of the ride, ending a championship drought — much like he did to end that drought in Cleveland — that partly drives James to continue playing after amassing a list of accomplishments unmatched by his peers.
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (23) battles with New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York.
Frank Franklin II/AP
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Frank Franklin II/AP
The Sixers hope the five new starters can solidify themselves and win the title
The Sixers got their first look at the powerful roster they assembled this summer in hopes of winning their first title since 1983. James and another All-Star in Brown started alongside holdovers Embiid, Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
There are some questions about how the four All-Star players plus Edgecombe will coexist when all have been the primary ball handlers for their respective teams in the past. Who gets the ball in critical moments? Who must sacrifice the most? Who has the most to gain?
Watching the answers unfold in real time will be fascinating for the Sixers and their fans.
The chemistry seemed strong throughout the night. James hit Brown while cutting toward the basket to get the assist on the former Celtics star’s first points with the Sixers. The Sixers closed the third quarter with an 11-0 run, capped by Brown’s second straight three-pointer that came at the buzzer and gave Philadelphia an 83-76 lead.
“We did it on the fly,” James said.
The offseason until the countdown to the Sixers’ home opener Thursday against Cleveland has been a whirlwind of excitement in Philadelphia. James’ jerseys are flying off the shelves. Murals of him have appeared all over the city. He drew more than 10,000 fans to a public scrimmage and preseason games were sold out. There is a fascination with his helicopter flights from the Sixers’ facilities in New Jersey to New York.
Even his younger teammates admitted to being a little stunned when they first met James.
The Sixers entered the Garden almost unrecognizable since playing there in early May in a second-round playoff series. They lost twice in New York and the Knicks completed the sweep in Philadelphia.
The Sixers stocked up on talent and increased payroll to be able to challenge the Knicks.
“It’s definitely been fun these first few weeks,” coach Nick Nurse said. “These guys have been really great.”
There’s not much left for James to accomplish, other than winning that fifth ring.
Philadelphia waits.
Gn sports
