76Ers-knicks Opener Draws Record 7.71 Million Viewers

WHO:

PhillyVoice - Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson called timeouts during the Sixers’ comeback.

PhillyVoice - Dean Wade was unavailable with an ankle sprain and did not make his Sixers debut against his former team.

Newsweek - LeBron James made his 76ers debut against the New York Knicks.

RealGM Basketball - The Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs played on opening night.

RealGM Basketball - The Knicks were the defending champions.

RealGM Basketball - The 76ers’ opening-night roster included LeBron James and Jaylen Brown; the team had signed James and traded for Brown during the offseason.

WHAT:

PhillyVoice - The Sixers defeated the Cavaliers 114–106 after erasing a 29-point deficit, improving to 2–0.

PhillyVoice - Philadelphia outscored Cleveland 37–21 in the third quarter and went on a 13–0 run during its comeback.

PhillyVoice - The Sixers committed 15 first-half turnovers, which led to 22 Cavaliers points; the team shot 12-for-35 in the half, excluding Tyrese Maxey.

PhillyVoice - LeBron James committed five first-half turnovers, while Jaylen Brown missed six of his first eight shots and committed three turnovers.

PhillyVoice - Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey both received MVP chants from the crowd.

Newsweek - James’ 76ers debut against the Knicks helped NBC and Peacock deliver historic NBA opening-night viewership.

The Source - The 76ers-Knicks matchup drew a record 7.71 million viewers.

RealGM Basketball - The 76ers defeated the Knicks 106–100.

RealGM Basketball - The game averaged 7.71 million viewers, the most-watched primetime opening-night game ever, and peaked at 9.1 million viewers.

RealGM Basketball - The opening-night doubleheader on NBC and Peacock averaged 6.41 million viewers, the most-watched opening night in NBA history.

RealGM Basketball - The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116–104 in the second game, a rematch of the previous season’s Western Conference finals.

RealGM Basketball - The 76ers spoiled the Knicks’ ring night.

WHERE:

PhillyVoice - The Sixers’ home opener against Cleveland took place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Newsweek - The 76ers and Knicks game was carried on NBC and Peacock.

RealGM Basketball - The doubleheader was broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

WHEN:

RealGM Basketball - The 7.71-million-viewer game peaked at 9:45 p.m. ET.

WHY:

Newsweek - James’ debut with the 76ers against the Knicks contributed to the historic opening-night audience.

HOW:

PhillyVoice - Philadelphia’s halftime defensive adjustment moved James to defend Cleveland center Jarrett Allen, while Embiid roamed off wing Peyton Watson; Brown guarded Evan Mobley, Maxey guarded James Harden, and VJ Edgecombe took Donovan Mitchell.

RealGM Basketball - The reported audience figures came from the NBA opening-night doubleheader broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

The 76ers rallied from a 29-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114 to 106 at home, improving to 2–0. Philadelphia’s comeback included a 13–0 run and a 37 to 21 advantage in the third quarter, after 15 first-half turnovers helped Cleveland score 22 points. At halftime, the Sixers adjusted their defense, with LeBron James assigned to center Jarrett Allen and Joel Embiid roaming to help. Dean Wade missed the game with an ankle sprain and did not make his debut against his former team. Earlier, James made his Philadelphia debut against the New York Knicks, helping the Sixers spoil the defending champions’ ring night with a 106 to 100 win. That matchup drew a record 7.71 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, peaking at 9.1 million. The opening-night doubleheader averaged 6.41 million viewers, while Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 116 to 104.