Philadelphia and the Lakers set the tone with opening wins – Celtics slip in their first game of the season

The Opening Winners

On the Philadelphia side, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey stood out, shaping the game over long stretches. For Boston, Jaylen Brown also remained a dominant figure, but he could not prevent the loss.

Before tip-off at Madison Square Garden, the home team had celebrated their championship from the previous season with the traditional raising of a banner under the arena roof.

Atmosphere at Madison Square Garden

The opening results should be read explicitly as a snapshot. The season has only just begun, and both the Celtics and the Knicks will have time to find their form.

The upcoming games will show which of the opening winners can carry their momentum and which of the losers must course-correct early. Observers are paying particular attention to the Lakers' performances with LeBron James, as well as to the question of how quickly the Celtics can stabilize their play.

Outlook on Upcoming Games

The games mark the start of a season in which several clubs from both the East and the West have announced their ambitions for the top spots. Even the first results suggest that the deck is being reshuffled in both conferences.

While Philadelphia and the Lakers have gained confidence, the Celtics remain under pressure to respond early in the season. The league continues its schedule with further games in the coming days.