LeBron, Brown Win 76ers Debut vs. Knicks, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Brunson, Embiid & More

The new-look Philadelphia 76ers got off to a great start on Tuesday, beating the defending-champion New York Knicks 106-100 in a season-opening thriller between a pair of teams who look like top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Here's a look at the game's key performers:

While both teams played fantastic and balanced team basketball, there was some absurd shot-making and some primo highlights from this game.

The Sixers are going to take a lot of positives from this game.

The team defended well, forcing Jalen Brunson into a tough shooting night (6-of-19 from the field, minus-14 in plus-minus). They moved the ball unselfishly (28 team assists). They were a blur in transition, turning steals or rebounds into easy points. Both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (10 points) and Anfernee Simons (13 points) made nice contributions off the bench, and Dean Wade is expected to do so as well when healthy.

Overall the chemistry looked good. One game is just one game, though.

The Knicks, likewise, aren't going to sweat one of 82, especially against a talented Philly team. But the Knicks and their fans surely would have wanted a more celebratory result on the night they raised last season's championship banner at Madison Square Garden.

The Sixers, instead, decided to spoil that party. They'll look to build on the nice start on Thursday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Knicks will look to rebound on the road Friday against the Boston Celtics.