LeBron started Philadelphia on the right side of history

The first night arrived with a familiar ring at Madison Square Garden. Philadelphia came to New York, LeBron James wore the Sixers uniform for the first time and the Knicks prepared to raise their championship banner. The script sounded neat. Then the game happened.

Philadelphia won 106-100 and left the champions without the celebratory ending they had planned. The victory, in the team's first game of the 2026-27 NBA season, interrupted New York's ceremony before the banner could be lifted in front of its own fans.

A solid debut, without excess

James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes. The numbers do not require a drumroll, but they are consistent and complete. There was no single performance carrying Philadelphia, which is usually a good sign when a star arrives with a new team.

Tyrese Maxey took charge from the offensive end with 28 points and set the pace for the Sixers. In a game full of historical packaging, Maxey supplied the clearest individual contribution. James, meanwhile, did not need to take over the show. He helped secure the result.

“In my view, the best part of the debut is that Philadelphia did not depend on one big night. James was steady, Maxey led the attack and the team won on the road against a championship celebration. That does not guarantee a great season, of course. But it gives the project a respectable starting point.”Leandro Schneider, Deportes

• The Sixers won 106-100 in their first game of the 2026-27 NBA season.
• James recorded 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes.
• Maxey led Philadelphia's scoring with 28 points.
• New York was hosting the ceremony for its championship ring presentation and banner raising.
• The victory interrupted the Knicks' planned celebration at Madison Square Garden.

There is still a long road between a memorable debut and a serious contender. The Eastern Conference will demand more consistency, and one away win against the reigning champions cannot answer every question about the roster. Even so, James arrived, contributed and left with a win instead of an explanation.

For now, Philadelphia has a strong opening image and a reason to keep watching. The next challenge will be to turn that initial victory into a sustained competitive rhythm. New York, meanwhile, will have to wait before raising its banner in the Garden.