LeBron James described his home debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as a dream come true after the team overturned a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in an emphatic comeback victory.
The result marked the largest comeback win of James’ 24-season NBA career and the biggest comeback by Philadelphia in the play-by-play era, which began in the 1996-97 season.
Philadelphia faced a hostile reception after trailing 69-45 at half-time, but the hosts produced a remarkable turnaround after the break. The 76ers outscored Cleveland 69-37 in the second half and took their first lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
A decisive run of 15 consecutive points put Philadelphia ahead 104-95. Cleveland attempted to fight back, reducing the deficit to four points at 106-102, but the 76ers maintained their composure to secure the win.
James finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Fellow home debutant Jaylen Brown scored 21 points, including 17 in the second half and 10 in the final quarter. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 32 points, while Joel Embiid contributed 24.
Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, James said the team had deserved the boos it received while struggling in the first half, before earning cheers from the home crowd with its second-half performance. He described the atmosphere as an unforgettable experience.
The victory continued Philadelphia’s impressive start to the season after the team defeated the New York Knicks 106-100 in its opening game, spoiling the defending champions’ homecoming.
James, who joined the 76ers on a two-year contract, also addressed criticism from US President Donald Trump, who called the 41-year-old a “total disgrace” for not standing still during the national anthem before the Knicks game.
