LeBron James Scores 14 in 76ers Debut as Philadelphia Beats Knicks 106-100

The Philadelphia 76ers opened their season with a 106-100 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, and LeBron James got on the board in his first game with his new team. The 41-year-old scored 14 points, according to ESPN and NBC News, and he grabbed nine rebounds. Rebounds are the missed shots a player collects, and they often decide who gets the next chance.

James is entering his 24th NBA season and his fourth team. He left the Los Angeles Lakers this summer and signed with Philadelphia in July, when he was the biggest free agent still available. After the game, he told NBC that he could be a lot better and is still finding his rhythm after just over two weeks with the squad.

The night belonged to a different 76er. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28 points, according to NBA.com. Jaylen Brown made his Philadelphia debut after a trade from the Boston Celtics that sent Paul George the other way. Brown finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Joel Embiid added 13 points.

For New York, the night began with a ceremony. The Knicks raised their third championship banner at Madison Square Garden before tip-off, after beating the San Antonio Spurs in the most recent NBA Finals to end a 53-year title drought. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 and grabbed 12 rebounds, but the home side could not hold the lead down the stretch.

The Associated Press described the 76ers as hoping their new starting five could come together for a title run. The early read is that the group is still learning each other, and James said as much himself.

The opening night slate had two other games worth knowing about. The Detroit Pistons rallied in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113, and Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut. In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 as the Thunder beat the Spurs 116-104. Victor Wembanyama made just one of 13 shots for San Antonio, but he pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked six shots.

The Knicks and 76ers meet again on October 30 in Philadelphia, when New York opens its title defense of the NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament. The Sixers, for now, have a win and a new starting lineup to build on.