Sixers-Knicks news: LeBron makes debut; NBA commish on helicopter deal; Paul George makes Celtics debut
After a big summer, the Sixers are facing the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden to open the season.
LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers are facing the New York Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden to start the season.
LeBron chose the Sixers in his "final decision." Now he’s bringing a championship "blueprint" to Philly.
It's hard to know what to expect from the Sixers' big five, and if "sacrifice" will define their season.
Simulating the Sixers season on NBA 2K27 produced surprising results. A glitch or cause for concern?
Here are 35 things to know about the East teams standing in the Sixers' way, from LeBron's success against the Knicks to the return of Kawhi Leonard.
Lebron scores his first points with the Sixers
LeBron shows off passing ability early
Maxey kicks things off with a three
Sixers center Ariel Hukporti gets championship ring
Nick Nurse wasn't sure if Ariel Hukporti was going to make tonight's opener to receive his championship ring.
Hukporti was a reserve center for the Knicks behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, and got minutes in most of the NBA Finals games and as third center in the series against the Sixers. He left in search of more playing time in the offseason, but recently got surgery after tearing his Achilles in the preseason opener against the Knicks.
In street clothes and with his leg propped up on a scooter, Hukporti earned a solid cheer from the New York crowd in his return to Madison Square Garden.
Anfernee Simons, Adem Bona available to play
Anfernee Simons (hamstring) and Adem Bona (foot) are both listed as available to play in tonight's opener in New York, while Dean Wade (ankle) is listed as out, per the NBA's injury report.
Simons and Bona both missed the preseason, while Wade rolled his anke in the final exhibition game Friday against the Boston Celtics.
Wade was an important free-agency signing, primarily because of his defensive versatility. Expect Simons, a terrific outside shooter, to be one of the first guards off the bench, and for Bona to be the backup center.
Nick Nurse talks LeBron James, Jaylen Brown
The 76ers' yearly cycle had grown stale in Philly.
Each season would begin with low expectations, then Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey would flash their brilliance during the postseason, the Sixers would look like world-beaters and then they'd fall off a cliff and lose to a deeper team, like the New York Knicks or Boston Celtics.
Well, over the summer they flipped that storyline on its ear, adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a roster that already includes Embiid, Maxey, and second-year upstart VJ Edgecombe. Embiid did his part, showing up to camp in shape and free of any physical limitations.
Sixers-Knicks rivalry? Nick Nurse couldn't care less.
Nick Nurse isn't getting into the rivalry talk.
Prior to the 76ers' Tuesday night home opener against the Knicks, he was asked if there was any added motivation playing in New York on opening night.
The answer was a quick no, but Nurse also explained his thinking on the matter. He said he isn't placing much stock in anything that happened between the two franchises 30 years ago, or even last year, when the Knicks knocked the Sixers out of the second round of the playoffs. Or three seasons ago, when the Sixers' season also ended at the hands of the Knicks.
How LeBron's previous teams fared in their first seasons
LeBron James’ first game in Philadelphia was nearly 24 years ago. It was so long ago that Donovan McNabb was the Eagles quarterback, Allen Iverson was in his prime, and Chase Utley was a rookie.
Something memorable happened for James, as the 17-year-old put on a show for the 20,761 in attendance.
Now, Philadelphia is perhaps the final stop in his remarkable career. Here is how the first seasons have gone in his previous four stops with three other teams.
The Knicks' jerseys will look different tonight
In honor of their 2025-26 NBA championship, the Knicks' jerseys for tonight's game against the Sixers will feature quite a bit of gold, including on the lettering, numbers, and trim.
Sixers players hit the court for warmups
https://t.co/3ZnM3Y5Ydn
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) October 20, 2026
Crowded scene getting into the Garden
Paul George is having quite the Celtics debut
While Philly fans are still awaiting their first regular-season look at LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and the new-look Sixers, the player the team traded away in order to acquire Brown is making his debut for his new team. And he's going off.
Paul George already has 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting (including 6-of-8 from three) through the first two and a half quarters of the Celtics opener against the Detroit Pistons.
Watch: LeBron arrives at MSG for Sixers opener
More Philly teams wish the Sixers luck
Earlier we showed you the Phillies, Flyers, and Union sharing good-luck messages with the Sixers ahead of their season opener. Now, they've been joined by the Eagles and some of the area's colleges. That includes the Temple University men's basketball team, who recreated some iconic LeBron memes to mark the occasion.
Meet the new Sixers: Labaron Philon Jr.
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Labaron Philon Jr.
Position: G | Age: 20
What to know about the Knicks and other East contenders
There have been eight different NBA champions over the last eight seasons, an unprecedented run of parity for a league used to dynasties.
Before the Sixers can start thinking about a championship parade, they need to win the Eastern Conference. (Actually, they need to make the playoffs first. Heaven help Mike Gansey and Nick Nurse if that doesn’t happen.)
There appear to be seven legitimate contenders in the East — and possibly an eighth if the Pacers meet their own lofty expectations.
Meet the new Sixers: LeBron James
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team, even if they don't really need an introduction ...
LeBron James
Position: SF | Age: 41
Sixers fans have high expectations for the season
Meet the new Sixers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Position: SG | Age: 33
NBA commissioner is OK with LeBron's helicopter deal
Much has been made of LeBron James' commute from Manhattan, where he lives, to the Sixers' practice facility in Camden, where he works — a commute that's been made considerably shorter by a helicopter.
The chopper, which belongs to Fanatics and is available to James through his endorsement deal with the company, has raised some eyebrows. Fanatics is owned by Lafayette Hill native and former Sixers part owner Michael Rubin. While Rubin sold his portion of the team a few years ago, it hasn't stopped fans — and even investigative journalists like Pablo Torre — from wondering about the legality of it all, at least when it comes to NBA rules.
But NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN this afternoon that he didn't see anything wrong with the current arrangement, "as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved."
Why 'NBA 2K27' doesn't like the Sixers
More than a decade after the Sixers first embarked on a quixotic, often-disappointing rebuilding process, the franchise is set to begin tonight one of the most anticipated seasons in modern Philadelphia sports history.
Yet Philadelphians know that preseason dreams can sometimes curdle into nightmares. The 2011 Phillies, the Eagles' "dream team," and others quickly come to mind.
Such lingering scars compelled The Inquirer to search for some reassurance. Rather than asking so-called basketball experts how the Sixers might fare in the upcoming 2026-27 season, we instead turned to a potentially more authoritative source: NBA 2K27.
Dr. J and Nick Foles narrate NBC Sports Philly's Sixers hype video
Meet the new Sixers: Dean Wade
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Dean Wade
Position: PF | Age: 29
LeBron will wear special patch on his jersey
LeBron James will wear a special patch on his jersey this season to honor his 24th season, the most ever by an NBA player, Topps announced on Tuesday. The patch will be removed after each game and be replaced by a new one. Some of these patches will be turned into rare one-of-one trading cards, the company said in its Instagram post.
Topps is owned by Fanatics, which was founded by Lafayette Hill native Michael Rubin. James has an endorsement deal with Fanatics that also includes the use of the company helicopter, which James utilizes for his commute between New York City and the Sixers practice facility in Camden.
Other Philly teams wish the Sixers good luck
The Philly sports scene has experienced a whirlwind over the last few weeks, with the Phillies being knocked out of the playoffs, the Eagles' season falling off the rails, and the Flyers getting out to a nine-game losing streak before salvaging a few wins. The Union also experienced their own early-year turmoil before making a few big moves and resuscitating their season.
That didn't stop the Phillies, Flyers, and Union from standing in solidarity with the Sixers and wishing them good luck as they start their season Tuesday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Watch: Gina Mizell and Chris Hine on what to expect this season
Meet the new Sixers: Tacko Fall
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Tacko Fall
Position: C | Age: 30
'Unselfishness' will be key for the Sixers
The Sixers have admitted that they will face a little bit of unknown entering their NBA season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
And that makes sense given the circumstances. This team is blending together four high-usage players who are accustomed to having the ball in their hands and scoring the lion's share of their team's points. They also have an all-rookie player entering his second season and looking for more responsibility, plus a few veteran reserves who signed up to play for an entirely different team prior to the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
But James and Tyrese Maxey have spoken early and often about sacrifice and the important part that will play in this team's success. Maxey even attributed the Sixers' early preseason turnovers to his team's effort to be unselfish and keep each other involved.
Meet the new Sixers: Anfernee Simons
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Anfernee Simons
Position: G | Age: 27
'He's still being LeBron, just doing it in a different way'
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knows what it’s like to play alongside LeBron James. The two played three seasons together with the Los Angeles Lakers and won a championship in 2020.
At shootaround on Tuesday, Caldwell-Pope was asked if he has seen any differences in James’ game.
“I think it never changes,” Caldwell-Pope said. “For him, it's more just being that team leader, slowing the pace down. Also, just getting everybody in the same position. I think he's still being LeBron, just doing it in a different way.”
Meet the new Sixers: Jaylen Brown
Our Sixers writers broke down every player on the Sixers roster ahead of the season opener. Today, let's take a look at some of the new guys on the team ...
Jaylen Brown
Position: SF | Age: 29
LeBron graces the cover of SLAM in Sixers gear
More than two decades ago, LeBron James graced the cover of SLAM Magazine for the very first time. The high schooler shared the SLAM 62 cover with fellow star Sebastian Telfair in 2002 with the words “the takeover” decorating the front.
Twenty-three seasons later, the King is reintroducing himself. James will make his 30th cover appearance for SLAM Magazine in the latest December/January issue — and this time, he’s rocking some new threads.
The 41-year-old stands out in his No. 23 Sixers jersey on the cover of SLAM 265 with the words “Allow me to reintroduce myself,” written underneath him. That quote is a nod to Jay-Z's "Public Service Announcement," a song off his Black Album, which was released in 2003, the same year James was drafted.
Watch: LeBron, Sixers hit the court for shootaround
Sixers drop hype video ahead of season opener
Did the Knicks already crown themselves 2026-27 NBA champs?
The Knicks must be feeling pretty good about themselves ahead of their season opener. Tonight, they'll get their ring for winning the NBA title back in June, and all fans in attendance will get a shirt to celebrate. Only the shirt doesn't honor the team's most recent championship (for the 2025-26 season), at least not at first glance.
If you look closely, the shirts say "2026-27 Champions Night." Is it a typo? Are the Knicks predicting back-to-back titles? Or is it just poor messaging? Perhaps the "2026-27" applies to the "Night" and not "Champions," and they are noting that tonight is "Champions Night" for the 2026-27 season. Even if that's the case, that's likely not how it's going to be received.
Sixers tickets are expensive. These games offer the best value.
Many die-hard Sixers fans already purchased their tickets for this season, even though the average price of the cheapest tickets for each game has exceeded $100, compared to just $24 from last season. However, if you’re new to the bandwagon or a veteran of the Process era who hasn’t secured seats, we’re here to help.
We took a look at each of the team's home games this season and weighed how much it cost to get in the door — and how much to sit in the lower level — against the opponent and other factors to help you find which game is right for you.
From games against the Knicks, Lakers, and Cavs that will cost well over $100 just to get in the door to other matchups against teams like the Pelicans and Grizzlies that are much more reasonable, here's a look at the rising cost of being a Sixers fan.
» READ MORE: Looking for Sixers tickets without breaking the bank? These are the games to target.
Sixers-Knicks: Start time, how to watch and stream
LeBron James and the Sixers kick off their highly-anticipated season against the New York Knicks tonight in Madison Square Garden (7 p.m., NBC).
Calling the second opener will be play-by-play veteran Mike Tirico, who is starting his second season as the lead voice of NBC's NBA coverage. Joining him on the broadcast will be Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, with Zora Stephenson reporting courtside.
Not that Sixers fans will want to tune in, but NBC will feature the Knicks raising their championship banner during its NBA Showtime pregame show at 6:30 p.m.
Sixers schedule: Lots of national TV during first 10 games
The country will see a lot of LeBron James and the 76ers to start the season.
Six of the Sixers' first 10 games will air nationally, beginning with tonight's season opener against the New York Knicks.
During that span, the Sixers will appear twice on both ESPN and Amazon's Prime Video, which is in its second season streaming games on Friday nights. Their slate expands to Thursday nights once the NFL season is over.