The Philadelphia 76ers opened their preseason with a convincing 120-97 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night, but the biggest storyline was not the final score. LeBron James watched from the bench as the Sixers began a highly anticipated season with several of their biggest stars resting.
The Knicks entered the matchup as the reigning NBA champions after sweeping Philadelphia in the second round of last season’s playoffs. This time, however, the 76ers flipped the result in their preseason meeting at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
76ers Beat Knicks 120-97
The 76ers defeated the Knicks 120-97 in a game where both teams prioritized evaluating their depth rather than relying heavily on their regular rotations. Philadelphia’s Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting in just 16 minutes and 51 seconds.
Brown’s performance offered an early glimpse of why Philadelphia made such a major move during the offseason. The 76ers acquired the former Boston Celtics All-NBA forward in June, adding another elite offensive option to a roster that already includes LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
For the Knicks, the preseason matchup provided another opportunity to prepare for the upcoming campaign while giving younger and reserve players valuable minutes.
Is LeBron Playing Tonight?
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Knicks vs 76ers matchup was: is LeBron playing tonight?
The answer was no. James did not appear in the preseason game and spent the night near the end of the Philadelphia bench wearing a maroon sweatsuit and a Philadelphia Phillies hat.
James was not the only Philadelphia star held out. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey also did not play. According to 76ers coach Nick Nurse, the absences were not injury-related. All three players had participated in the team’s preseason scrimmage days earlier.
Nurse said he expects most of Philadelphia’s stars to play in at least two of the team’s four preseason games.
Jaylen Brown Leads the Sixers
With James, Embiid and Maxey sidelined, Jaylen Brown became the centerpiece of the Philadelphia offense.
Brown finished with 22 points and shot 8-for-13 from the field, accomplishing that production in fewer than 17 minutes. His performance highlighted the depth and star power that has made the Philadelphia 76ers one of the most closely watched teams heading into the new season.
The addition of Brown and James has dramatically changed expectations around the Sixers. Philadelphia is looking to rebound after being swept by the Knicks in last season’s second round of the playoffs.
Knicks vs 76ers Rivalry Gets Another Chapter
The Knicks and 76ers already have plenty of recent history. New York’s playoff sweep ended Philadelphia’s season and extended the franchise’s wait to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
The preseason meeting therefore carried additional interest despite neither team playing its full rotation.
The 76ers vs Knicks matchup also attracted significant attention from fans. Interest on the secondary ticket marketplace StubHub was reportedly the highest for an NBA preseason game in either of the past two years, with 64% of buyers on the platform coming from outside Pennsylvania.
That level of demand shows how much attention the new-look Philadelphia roster is generating.
What It Means for the New York Knicks
The loss does not carry much weight for the New York Knicks because the game was part of the preseason and both teams limited their starters.
The NY Knicks remain focused on preparing for the regular season after their championship run. The preseason gives coach Mike Brown an opportunity to evaluate his roster, establish rotations and determine which players can contribute when the games begin to matter.
Mike Brown also praised LeBron’s remarkable longevity, calling his ability to remain at an elite level heading into his 24th season extraordinary.
Knicks vs 76ers: Where to Watch
Fans searching for knicks vs 76ers where to watch should check their local NBA broadcast listings and the official streaming options available in their market. Availability can vary depending on whether the matchup is a preseason or regular-season game.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again when the regular season begins, with Philadelphia visiting New York on October 20.
That regular-season knicks game should carry considerably more significance than the preseason meeting.
When Is the Next Knicks vs 76ers Game?
The 76ers’ 2026-27 regular-season opener against the Knicks is scheduled for October 20, giving both teams several weeks to prepare after their preseason meeting.
Philadelphia is entering the season with enormous expectations after adding James and Brown, while the Knicks will attempt to defend their position at the top of the Eastern Conference after their championship campaign.
The preseason result gives the Knicks plenty to evaluate, but the real test will come once the regular season begins.
For now, the Philadelphia 76ers can celebrate a 120-97 preseason victory, while the Knicks can look ahead knowing that the result ultimately carries little weight. The biggest takeaway may be Philadelphia’s impressive collection of talent and the excitement surrounding a roster featuring James, Brown, Embiid and Maxey.
Leave a Reply