The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 on Thursday, October 22, 2026, led by Tyrese Maxey’s 32 points and six assists. Philadelphia overcame a 24-point halftime deficit at Xfinity Mobile Arena, outscoring Cleveland 69-37 after the break to improve to 2-0 in the NBA regular season.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Cavaliers Establish a 17-Point Lead
Cleveland opened with a 35-18 first quarter, putting Philadelphia in an early deficit. The Cavaliers produced their highest-scoring period of the night, while the 76ers recorded their lowest.
Second Quarter: Cleveland Extends Its Advantage
The Cavaliers outscored the 76ers 34-27 in the second quarter to take a 69-45 halftime lead. Cleveland had scored at least 34 points in each of the opening two periods, leaving Philadelphia needing a substantial improvement at both ends.
Third Quarter: Philadelphia Cuts the Deficit to Eight
The 76ers changed the direction of the game with a 37-21 third quarter. Their most productive period reduced Cleveland’s advantage from 24 points to eight, with the Cavaliers still ahead 90-82 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: 76ers Complete the Comeback
Philadelphia outscored Cleveland 32-16 in the final period, turning that eight-point deficit into an eight-point victory. The Cavaliers managed just 37 points across the entire second half, while the 76ers scored at least 32 in both quarters to finish the comeback in regulation.
Key Performers
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia: Maxey shared the game’s scoring lead with 32 points and led the 76ers with six assists.
- LeBron James, Philadelphia: James led Philadelphia with 10 rebounds, helping the home team remain competitive on the boards.
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland: Mitchell matched Maxey’s 32 points and added a team-leading 10 rebounds for a double-double.
- James Harden, Cleveland: Harden led the Cavaliers with five assists.
NerdSports Stat: Philadelphia scored exactly as many points in the second half as Cleveland did in the first half—69—but allowed only 37 after intermission, producing a 32-point second-half scoring advantage.
Game Analysis: Philadelphia Finds a Path Inside the Arc
The 76ers completed their comeback without a strong three-point shooting night. Philadelphia went 7-for-28 from beyond the arc, a 25.0% mark, while Cleveland finished 7-for-29 at 24.1%. With both teams making seven threes, the difference came elsewhere.
Philadelphia made 35 two-point field goals to Cleveland’s 32 and converted 23 free throws to the Cavaliers’ 21. Those advantages accounted for the entire eight-point final margin. Overall, the 76ers shot 45.7% from the field on 42-for-92 shooting, compared with Cleveland’s 44.8% on 39-for-87.
Philadelphia also finished with a 24-18 advantage in assists. Cleveland held a narrow 46-44 rebounding edge, but that was not enough to offset its second-half scoring decline. The Cavaliers went from 69 points before halftime to 37 afterward, including just 16 in the fourth quarter.
James’ presence on Philadelphia’s side also added context amid recent reports of Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson’s disappointment over Cleveland’s unsuccessful effort to acquire him. In this matchup, James contributed the 76ers’ team-leading rebounding total, while Maxey supplied their leading scoring and assist numbers.
Closing Context: Philadelphia Moves to 2-0
The 76ers improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 at home, while the Cavaliers fell to 0-1 after their season opener. Philadelphia next hosts the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, October 25, at 4:30 p.m. PDT. Cleveland returns home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, October 26, at 4 p.m. PDT, seeking its first victory after letting a 24-point halftime lead slip away.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 on October 22, 2026.
Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, tying Donovan Mitchell for the game high. Maxey’s individual shooting percentage was not provided in the available game statistics.
After the win, the Philadelphia 76ers sit 2-0 in the Eastern Conference.
Tyrese Maxey was the standout performer for the winning 76ers with 32 points and six assists. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell also delivered 32 points and 10 rebounds.