The NBA preseason has begun, featuring an exciting matchup where the Philadelphia 76ers emerged victorious against the defending champions, the New York Knicks, with a score of 120-97. Despite the absence of some 76ers’ stars, the team showcased impressive performance.

Before the game, Knicks coach Mike Brown assured that almost all his players would participate, and he fulfilled his promise. The starters, including OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, each played for 13 or more minutes, contributing 12 points apiece during their limited time on the court. However, fellow starters Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges collectively managed only 10 points.

Following the defeat, Jalen Brunson spoke candidly with reporters in the locker room about the Knicks’ prospects for the upcoming challenging season. “It’s a good first step. Not a great first step, but as long as we’re making strides in the right direction, it’s something to be happy about. Still a lot for us to learn and be better at early,” Brunson commented after the game.

The Knicks understand that the stakes will rise significantly once the regular season kicks off. Starters will command more playing time and exert greater influence on results. The Knicks will have additional motivation to thwart the regular-season debuts of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown with the 76ers. Plus, they’ll commemorate their 2026 NBA championship at Madison Square Garden.

In the preseason loss, Philadelphia had Jaylen Brown on the floor alongside VJ Edgecombe. Brown captivated fans at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, playing for 17 minutes and converting 8 out of 13 shots to secure 22 points. Edgecombe, entering his second NBA season, contributed 12 points, grabbed seven assists, and secured four rebounds over 20 minutes.

The regular season clash between these teams occurs in New York on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The stakes will be significantly higher as one team aims to secure the first regular-season victory.