# 76ers Season Opener Matchups

> Philadelphia 76ers face key matchups against New York Knicks in season opener.
- Title: 76ers Season Opener Matchups · Philadelphia 76ers On SI
- Summary: Philadelphia 76ers face key matchups against New York Knicks in season opener. Philadelphia 76ers need strong performances in three key matchups against New…
- Keywords: philadelphia 76ers, new york knicks, tyrese maxey, jalen brunson, joel embiid, karl-anthony towns, nba, season opener, sports, 76ers, Season, Opener
- Source: Philadelphia 76ers On SI — https://si.com/nba/76ers/onsi/3-key-matchups-for-76ers-in-season-opener-vs-knicks-01m5ad06nvaf
- Published: 2026-10-19T20:07:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: philadelphia 76ers, new york knicks, tyrese maxey, jalen brunson, joel embiid, karl-anthony towns, nba, season opener, sports
## Season Opener
Philadelphia 76ers kick off the 2026-27 NBA season against defending-champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
## Tyrese Maxey vs Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson is the reigning NBA Finals MVP, while Tyrese Maxey has established himself as one of the best scorers and guards in the entire NBA.
## Maxey-Brunson Record
Brunson holds an 18-8 record over Maxey in games they've played, including an 8-2 postseason record.
## Knicks Swept Sixers
The Knicks swept the Sixers in four games in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
## Embiid vs Towns
Joel Embiid holds a 9-8 record against Karl-Anthony Towns in 17 games they've played.
## Towns Contract Issue
Towns publicly expressed displeasure with his contract situation in New York after not agreeing to an extension.
## Bench Matchups
Philadelphia upgraded bench with Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
## Knicks Bench
New York's bench features Andre Drummond as backup center behind Towns.
## Bench Points
Total bench points will be a major stat to see how Philadelphia's reserves stack up against New York's.
## Key takeaway

Philadelphia 76ers need strong performances in three key matchups against New York Knicks to start the 2026-27 NBA season.