NBA Recaps: Comeback Magic in Philly and Thunder Defense Highlight Wild Thursday Slate

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PHILADELPHIA — Early-season NBA action brought dramatic storylines Thursday night, featuring a staggering 29-point comeback at the Wells Fargo Center and a defensive slugfest in Oklahoma City. From star-studded firepower roaring back in Philadelphia to young thunderous defense overcoming cold shooting, the league delivered a memorable slate of home openers.

76ers Shock Cavaliers with Historic 29-Point Comeback in Home Opener

The Philadelphia 76ers staged an astonishing rally, erasing a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in front of a stunned home crowd. Cleveland appeared to have total control early, taking a 35-18 lead in the first quarter and storming out to a 69-45 advantage at halftime behind Donovan Mitchell’s game-high 32 points and James Harden’s perimeter play. However, the dynamic trio of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey completely flipped the game’s momentum after the break.

The game-breaking sequence arrived in the third quarter when Philadelphia outscored Cleveland 37-21, ignited by defensive intensity from rookie guard VJ Edgecombe and two-way dominance by Jaylen Brown. Embiid found his rhythm inside, drawing late contact and finishing with 17 second-half points, while James orchestrated the transition attack to dish out key assists down the stretch. Maxey poured in 24 points, including critical fourth-quarter drives, to complete the largest comeback in 76ers franchise history.

*THE LARGEST* 76ers comeback in the last 30 seasons 😤 https://t.co/nQQIEDSpFX

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 23, 2026

Thunder Outlast Nuggets 96-84 Despite SGA’s Cold Shooting Night

In Oklahoma City, the reigning Western Conference powerhouse Thunder proved their defense can carry them even when their superstar’s shot isn’t falling, securing a 96-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled from the floor, held under 20 points for the first time in two years as Denver focused its entire defensive scheme on doubling him out of isolation play.

Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s rare cold spell, Oklahoma City’s depth and interior length dominated the contest. Jalen Williams led the scoring charge with 21 points, while big man Chet Holmgren anchored the paint with a monster double-double, grabbing 17 rebounds and adding 12 points alongside multiple rim-contesting blocks. The game-breaking stretch took place during the third quarter, when Oklahoma City outscored Denver 26-16 by forcing six turnovers off Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic was limited to 13 points on 19 shots against heavy ball pressure from Cason Wallace and Lu Dort. Though Aaron Gordon posted 20 points for Denver, the Nuggets committed 22 total turnovers and shot just 38% from the field, allowing the Thunder to pull away in the fourth quarter for their second straight win to start the campaign.