Knicks Prepare for Opener Against 76ers Amid Heightened Rivalry

Josh Hart saw it coming. Honestly, a lot of us did.

It was pretty clear, really.

“Wherever LeBron [James] went in the East, I thought that would probably be our opening night game,” Hart remarked after a Knicks practice on Sunday. “It’s bound to generate headlines and boost ticket sales and all that.”

Now that training camp and the preseason have wrapped up, all eyes are on the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, happening Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

This game is significant—it’s not only the season opener but also banner and ring night. There’s already a lot of buzz surrounding it. Yet, there are additional elements that can’t be ignored.

The NBA seems eager to frame this matchup as a rivalry, especially since LeBron and Jaylen Brown have joined the 76ers in what many are calling a “superteam.” The two teams will meet twice in the first six games, both on national television. In fact, all four matchups this season will be broadcast nationally.

Many analysts view the 76ers—boasting stars like James, Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe—as the primary threat to the Knicks’ hopes of defending their championship title.

Considering the proximity of the two teams, their recent playoff encounters, and LeBron’s public acknowledgment of his desire to finish his career with the Knicks (had they not won the title), along with his part-time residence in New York City, it’s easy to see why this rivalry could reignite.

Mike Brown, who coached James during his first head coaching stint with the Cavaliers, understands that when James is part of the equation, everything gets amplified.

“Truth be told, in coach-speak, we often say every game is the same,” the Knicks coach mentioned on Sunday. “We try to drill into our players that they need to bring the same focus and effort for each game. But, with everything surrounding it and who he is—he’s a significant figure, not just in life but within the NBA.”

“You have to recognize their talent and potential, paired with our accomplishments and what we aim to achieve again. All of those narratives, along with the social media buzz, definitely intensify things.”

The Knicks want to view this as just another one of the 82 regular-season games. Still, it’s hard to ignore how this matchup could become a focal point for early discussions and analysis for the season.

“As a coach, you wish it weren’t the case, but you have to acknowledge that players might view it as a significant game,” Brown added. “It can provide an extra boost of energy due to all the surrounding hype. Will it develop into a true rivalry? I’m not sure. It’s difficult to predict where we and they will be later on. But given everything happening now, it’s an enjoyable narrative.”

Interestingly, these two teams represent different sides of the spectrum.

The Knicks are stable, bringing back nine of their top ten players from last year—players who are familiar with one another and have great chemistry.

In contrast, the 76ers are a new squad that needs to gel quickly, all while facing immediate championship expectations.

“Sure, we have a consistent team, but individual expectations can shift from what they once were,” Hart said. “So, it is a bit different. Particularly for a team like that, I suspect they will face some rough patches early on as they learn to play together. And, of course, the media will jump in saying things like, ‘They should blow it up and trade everyone.’ That’s just the nature of the world we’re in.”

That world is poised to react dramatically to the outcome of Tuesday’s game.

So, get ready.