76ers Erase 29-Point Deficit to Defeat Cavaliers 114-106 in Thrilling Home Opener.
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers delivered an impressive comeback Thursday night, overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in their home opener. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 32 points, while Joel Embiid contributed 24 points to help the Sixers complete the remarkable turnaround. LeBron James added 17 points and 10 rebounds against his former team, while Jaylen Brown finished with 21 points. The victory marked the largest comeback win of James' NBA career and gave Philadelphia its second consecutive victory to begin the season, following an opening win against the defending champion New York Knicks. Cleveland controlled much of the first half behind a strong performance from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 22 points before halftime. The Cavaliers built a commanding 29-point advantage as Philadelphia struggled offensively, making just four of its first 15 three-point attempts and committing 14 first-half turnovers. However, the 76ers gradually found their rhythm and began cutting into Cleveland's lead. Embiid played a crucial role in the fourth-quarter comeback, scoring seven consecutive points to bring Philadelphia within one at 96-95. Maxey then helped shift the momentum with aggressive defensive play and timely scoring. Philadelphia put together a decisive 15-0 run in the final period, taking control of a game that had appeared out of reach earlier in the night. The fourth quarter also featured a heated exchange between Maxey and former Sixers teammate James Harden. The two players confronted each other before being separated, adding intensity to an already competitive finish.
Mitchell finished with 32 points for Cleveland, but the Cavaliers struggled to respond as Philadelphia completed its rally.
For James, the matchup carried additional significance. The 41-year-old veteran previously helped Cleveland capture an NBA championship and considered returning to the Cavaliers during free agency before signing a two-year contract with Philadelphia. His arrival, along with Brown's addition, has generated considerable excitement surrounding the Sixers. Thursday's comeback provided another memorable moment for a team looking to establish itself as an Eastern Conference contender. Philadelphia now begins its season with victories over two of the conference's strongest teams, demonstrating its ability to respond under pressure.
What's Next
The Cavaliers will return home Saturday to face the Brooklyn Nets as they look to recover from their season-opening defeat.
Philadelphia will continue its homestand with back-to-back games, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday before facing the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
