Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 29-point first-half deficit to win their regular-season home opener 114-106 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. The Sixers erased the large margin with a second-half rally that produced a 38-point swing in front of their home crowd.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 32 points and six assists. Joel Embiid added 24 points and seven rebounds, while Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points and eight boards. LeBron James had 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Cavaliers.
The Sixers did not take their first lead until five minutes into the fourth quarter, when Embiid scored seven straight points to put Philadelphia ahead 96-95. Brown then extended the lead with a long fadeaway jumper, a driving layup through two defenders, and a midrange shot, pushing the margin to seven points.
The comeback defied historical trends. ESPN reports that teams leading by 20 or more points at halftime had never lost their season opener since the shot clock era began in 1954-55, holding a 65-0 record before Thursday’s game.
Philadelphia’s turnaround came after a first half dominated by Cleveland. The Cavaliers built their big lead behind LeBron’s contributions and team effort, controlling the pace and spacing. However, the Sixers’ defence tightened in the second half, and their offence found rhythm through Maxey and Embiid.
Maxey’s scoring burst was critical in closing the gap. His ability to create shots and distribute to teammates helped shift momentum. Embiid’s late-quarter surge gave the Sixers the edge they needed to complete the comeback.
Brown’s performance stood out in the fourth quarter as he converted key baskets that put distance between the teams. His fadeaway jumper, in particular, came at a moment when the game could have swung back to Cleveland.
LeBron’s all-around effort kept the Cavaliers competitive until the final minutes. His rebounds and steals demonstrated his activity on both ends, but the Cavaliers could not stop Philadelphia’s scoring runs.
The Sixers’ victory ends the season opener with a statement of resilience and adjustment under their new lineup. The game provided early evidence of their ability to respond under pressure and execute in clutch moments.
This story will be updated with more information.
According to Yahoo Sports.
