The Philadelphia 76ers played their first home game of the 2026-27 season on October 22, and they did it in front of a packed Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown were wearing Sixers jerseys. The opponent was Cleveland, the team that drafted LeBron more than two decades ago.
It was the kind of night that writes its own introduction.
LeBron James announced his move to Philadelphia in July, signing a two-year deal. His decision surprised many who had expected him to return to Cleveland, where he had flirted with a third stint — a reversal from earlier speculation about LeBron’s Lakers future and championship roster ambitions. Instead, he joined a roster that already had Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Brown — making the 76ers the Eastern Conference’s most talked-about team before a single regular-season game was played.
A 29-Point Hole and a Historic Comeback
Philadelphia had already won their season opener on the road at Madison Square Garden, beating the defending champion New York Knicks 106-100. James recorded 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in that debut. Maxey led the team with 28 points.
The home opener against Cleveland carried extra weight for obvious reasons. Donovan Mitchell, who stayed with the Cavaliers and led the team last season, was the opponent to watch. Both teams’ matchup details, including arena and broadcast context, were confirmed on the NBA’s official game page for Cavaliers at 76ers, October 22, 2026.
Cleveland led by as many as 29 points. By halftime, the Cavaliers were up 69-45 and it looked like the night had already been decided. Then the 76ers outscored Cleveland 69-37 in the second half.
Maxey scored 32 points, Embiid added 24 — including seven straight points in the fourth quarter to give Philadelphia its first lead at 96-95 — Brown finished with 21, and James contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points, but it wasn’t enough. Philadelphia won 114-106.
For James, October 22 was about more than a box score. As he put it when he signed: “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team.”
That case gets tested all season. But it started on a Thursday night in Philly, against the team he left behind.
