Knicks open title defense against revamped 76ers as NBA season tips off

[SportsMafia Wire]

SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Team logos via ESPN.​

The New York Knicks begin their first championship defense in 53 years Tuesday night against a Philadelphia 76ers squad that added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown this offseason. The opener tips at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.

Philadelphia's reshaped core joins James and Brown with incumbent stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson enters the season after capturing Finals MVP honors.

The nightcap features the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The Thunder aim for a second Finals appearance in three seasons behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is pursuing a third consecutive MVP award. San Antonio brings back Victor Wembanyama after reaching the Finals last season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo heads to Miami after leaving his previous club. In preseason polling, the Thunder led West champion selections with nine votes to the Spurs' six. The Knicks and 76ers each received five votes to win the East. Wembanyama topped MVP projections with nine selections.

Source: ESPN - Mon Oct 19, 7:11 AM ET

Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).