76ers Complete Historic Comeback, SGA's Streak Ends, and Opening Night Ratings Soar

The 2026-27 NBA regular season tipped off on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, delivering an 11-game opening slate packed with historic comebacks, milestone debuts, and staggering television numbers. Yahoo Sports and NBA.com reported across the board on dramatic shifts, major injuries, and record ratings.

How did the 76ers pull off their historic comeback?

Yahoo Sports reported that the Philadelphia 76ers completed their largest comeback win in the play-by-play era on a Thursday, overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106. Tyrese Maxey anchored the surge by scoring a team-high 32 points. In an unusual moment during the action, Yahoo Sports noted that LeBron James accidentally gave 76ers teammate VJ Edgecombe a bloody nose via an elbow.

What happened to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's point streak?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's legendary 141-game point streak was officially halted and ended during a big win over the Denver Nuggets, according to Yahoo Sports and NBA.com. Despite the streak's conclusion, Oklahoma City secured the victory by deploying a unique trio of 7-footers against Denver.

Who shined in the opening week's biggest debuts and returns?

The opening week saw several notable player performances and high-profile franchise debuts:

• Anthony Edwards scored at least 40 points in a season opener for the second time, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan in an elite club as the Timberwolves defeated the Heat (NBA.com, Yahoo Sports).
• Anthony Davis debuted for the Washington Wizards with 34 points and 12 rebounds alongside Trae Young, while teammate AJ Dybantsa remained sidelined with an ankle injury (NBA.com, The Athletic).
• Tyrese Haliburton returned to the court for the Indiana Pacers in a win over the Pelicans, playing more than 16 months after suffering a right Achilles tendon rupture (NBA.com, Yahoo Sports).
• Giannis Antetokounmpo made his debut for the Miami Heat (NBA.com, Yahoo Sports).
• Ty Jerome exploded for a career-high 45 points in the Memphis Grizzlies' opener (Yahoo Sports).
• Brandon Miller signed a massive five-year, $209 million contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets as the franchise looks to end a 10-year playoff drought (NBA.com).

What were the television ratings for opening night?

NBA.com reported that NBC and Peacock's opening night doubleheader—featuring matchups like the 76ers against the Knicks and the Thunder against the Spurs—averaged 6.41 million viewers. This figure delivered the most-watched opening night on record for the network's broadcast window.