76ers spoil Knicks’ banner night as Pistons rally past Celtics in NBA openers
publishers 20articles 34first reported 17 Oct, 09:30 UTCdeveloping since 17 Oct · 14 editions
LeBron James helped the Philadelphia 76ers defeat the defending champion New York Knicks 106-100 on Tuesday, spoiling New York’s title celebration at Madison Square Garden as the 2026-27 NBA season began.
James, 41, scored 14 points and recorded seven assists in the start of his record-extending 24th season. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28 points, while former Celtic Jaylen Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his Philadelphia debut. Joel Embiid finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Brunson led New York with 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Before the game, the Knicks received championship rings and raised the franchise’s third title banner after ending a 53-year championship drought. Philadelphia overcame a 10-point first-half deficit, regained the lead during the third quarter and held off New York after the Knicks pulled within one late in the fourth.
In Detroit, the Pistons erased a 22-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 121-113. Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and helped fuel a 23-0 Detroit run. Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham each scored 22 points, while reserve Javonte Green added 19.
Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, but Boston could not protect a 72-50 third-quarter lead. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White scored 17 points apiece, while Jayson Tatum had 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting and 11 assists.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 90 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 20
- Source articles
- 34
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 90 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →