76ers Rally From 29 Point Deficit to Stun Cavaliers in Home Opener
· Yahoo Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers delivered an unforgettable performance Thursday night, erasing a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in their home opener. Behind a dominant second-half effort from Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the new-look Philadelphia lineup, the 76ers improved to 2-0 to begin the 2026-27 NBA season.
Philadelphia looked completely out of rhythm early, allowing Cleveland to control the game and build a commanding lead. The Cavaliers took a 69-45 advantage into halftime, putting the 76ers in a difficult position in front of their home crowd.
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However, Philadelphia refused to fold.
Maxey Leads the Comeback
Maxey was the driving force behind the 76ers’ turnaround, finishing with 32 points and six assists. His aggressive play on both ends of the floor helped Philadelphia regain its confidence after a frustrating first half.
Embiid added 24 points and seven rebounds, providing the interior scoring Philadelphia needed to get back into the contest. The center became especially important in the fourth quarter, scoring seven consecutive points to give the 76ers their first lead of the night at 96-95.
Jaylen Brown also played a major role, contributing 21 points and eight rebounds. His scoring in the final quarter helped Philadelphia build separation after completing the comeback.
LeBron James, playing his first home game with the 76ers, recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. The veteran also added three steals, bringing valuable energy and experience to a team that needed a spark.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists, providing another important contribution in Philadelphia’s balanced effort.
Philadelphia Takes Control Late
The 76ers completely changed the game’s momentum after halftime, outscoring Cleveland 69-37 over the final two quarters. Philadelphia’s defensive pressure forced difficult possessions, while improved execution allowed the offense to find its rhythm.
A decisive 15-0 run late in the fourth quarter helped the 76ers seize control. Brown delivered several important baskets during the stretch, and Maxey continued attacking as Cleveland struggled to respond.
Donovan Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who appeared firmly in control before Philadelphia’s remarkable turnaround.
A Statement Win for the 76ers
Coming back from 29 points down is an impressive achievement for any team, but doing it in the home opener makes the victory even more memorable.
Philadelphia has now defeated the defending champion New York Knicks and the Cavaliers in consecutive games to open the season. With Maxey leading the offense and Embiid, Brown and James providing additional firepower, the 76ers have offered an early glimpse of their potential.
The challenge now is maintaining that momentum. If Philadelphia can combine its second-half intensity with more consistent starts, the team could quickly establish itself as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.