The Philadelphia 76ers spoiled the Knicks' ring night on Tuesday, pulling off the 106-100 win over the defending champs. As satisfying as it was, they didn't have much time to enjoy it, not with the Cavaliers coming to town for Thursday's home opener. Cleveland wants to play spoiler this time.
It will be the Cavaliers' first game of the season, which, depending on how you look at it, may be a disadvantage, since the Sixers can ride the momentum of their first win. On the flip side, like Philadelphia, Cleveland's 2026 postseason ended with a Knicks sweep, which should make them even more eager to get back on the court and start the regular season slate with a win.
Oh, and there's also the whole LeBron James thing.
LeBron chose the 76ers over the Cavaliers
The 41-year-old superstar's free-agent decision came down to the Sixers, Cavaliers, or Heat, and before he announced he was going to Philadelphia, it seemed he would return home to Cleveland for a third stint. The fan base felt betrayed as their prodigal son chose a conference rival for what could be the final stop on his NBA journey.
Cleveland's players shouldn't be thinking about LeBron's decision when they step onto the floor tomorrow. Still, he chose to sign with Philadelphia, believing the Sixers will give him the best chance to compete for a fifth championship.
The Cavaliers can make it look like the wrong decision, though what happens in the Sixers' second game of the season won't determine how far they'll go when the playoffs roll around.
Cavaliers have a lot to prove
Cleveland traded for Donovan Mitchell in 2022 and, as a result, was labeled a championship contender. Reality has told a different story. The furthest the Cavaliers have gone with their star guard was the conference finals in May, but they didn't win a game.
There's been a little shuffling in Cleveland over the past few months, with the front office breaking up part of its core by trading Darius Garland to the Clippers for James Harden. After LeBron signed with the Sixers, it seemed the Cavaliers might start tearing things down, but instead they doubled down, reaffirming their faith in a roster that's continually come up short in the playoffs.
Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million extension with Cleveland. James Harden signed a three-year, $97 million contract. Evan Mobley stayed put as rumors swirled about his future, specifically with Giannis Antetokounmpo hitting the trade market. Jarrett Allen didn't go anywhere, either.
And they sent the Nuggets a first-round pick for Peyton Watson, the wing stopper they needed, signing him to a four-year, $88 million contract.
The Cavaliers have more pressure on their shoulders than the Knicks. It's championship-or-bust for Cleveland, and Philadelphia is one of the teams standing in the way.
The 76ers are up for the challenge
Hosting the Cavaliers is different from marching into Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks after they've received their rings and raised their championship banner to the rafters, but it presents a similar challenge. Cleveland is a motivated, hungry squad with a lot to prove.
The Sixers knew the start of the season would be a work in progress with their newcomers, though, as LeBron said Tuesday, it's impressive where Philadelphia already is after just a couple of weeks together. They had enough cohesion to knock off the Knicks, who only had one new face in their rotation: Andre Drummond.
Starting the season in New York and then hosting Cleveland in one of the most anticipated home openers in recent memory are the kinds of tests that will make the Sixers better as they build the chemistry we've heard so much about.
And rather than run from the challenge, Philly has embraced it.
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