Key Takeaways

• The 76ers erased a 29-point deficit late in the first half and 24 at halftime, overturning the Cavaliers with a 37-21 third quarter and a 20-5 fourth-quarter run to win 114-106. Maxey (32 points, 6 assists), Embiid (24 points, 7 rebounds), Brown (21 points, 8 rebounds) and LeBron James (17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) fueled the surge, delivering in the closing stretch.
• Philly outscored Cleveland 69-37 in the second half, marking the team’s largest comeback since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98 and securing a 2-0 start after beating the Knicks at MSG.
• In Oklahoma City, the Thunder limited Nikola Jokić to 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting as Denver totaled 84 points, with OKC holding the Nuggets to just 36 points in the second half and sealing the win in the fourth.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 141-game streak of 20+ points ended, ending a remarkable run, while Chet Holmgren contributed 12 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks as Jalen Williams led OKC with 21 points.
• Thunder coach Mark Daigneault credited the defensive effort and toughness for grinding out the win, underscoring the team’s identity on the defensive end.
• The night featured the league’s opening narratives, including LeBron James and Jaylen Brown making home debuts and a prominent MSG atmosphere as the Knicks and Sixers opened the season with high expectations.
• Anthony Edwards starred with a 45-point opener, including nine 3-pointers, while Tyrese Haliburton delivered late in his return, fueling a 4th-quarter surge and a go-ahead finish for Indiana.