The New York Knicks raised a banner on Tuesday night, and then the Philadelphia 76ers beat them 106-100 at Madison Square Garden. Philadelphia spoiled ring night with a third quarter takeover and a closer's poise that the champions never matched.

Tyrese Maxey was the best player in the building. Maxey scored 28 points with 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks, torturing New York off the dribble all night. Philadelphia won the third quarter 29-18 and closed it with an 11-0 run to take the lead for good. In crunch time the 76ers locked down Jalen Brunson, who finished with 21 points on 6 of 19 shooting and went 1 of 5 late.

The debuts delivered. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points with 8 rebounds and 6 assists in his first game as a 76er, scored 10 of them in the decisive third quarter and said afterward the team was happy to "be a little spoiler." LeBron James had 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in his Philadelphia debut and Joel Embiid added 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 12 rebounds for New York and Andre Drummond had 12 and 14.

The context makes the win louder. Last May the Knicks swept Philadelphia out of the Eastern Conference semifinals and won the four games by an average of 22.2 points. The 76ers answered by adding James and Brown in the summer and winning the rematch in the champions' building on their celebration night. It is one game of 82, and it is also a statement the whole East heard.

Key Facts

  • Final: 76ers 106, Knicks 100 at Madison Square Garden on ring night
  • Star: Tyrese Maxey scored 28 with 3 steals and 3 blocks
  • Debuts: Jaylen Brown 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists; LeBron James 14, 9 and 7
  • Turn: Philadelphia won the third quarter 29-18 with an 11-0 closing run
  • Clamps: Brunson held to 21 points on 6 of 19 and 1 of 5 in crunch time

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