29 DOWN. ZERO PANIC.
PHILLY MAKES A STATEMENT.

PHILADELPHIA 114 · CLEVELAND 106

29 DOWN. ZERO PANIC. PHILLY MAKES A STATEMENT

We have seen talented Sixers teams before. What stood out in this comeback was the connection. Down 29 against a Cleveland team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Philadelphia could have folded. Instead, its new lineup played with the urgency and trust of a group that genuinely enjoys competing together.

Tyrese Maxey is the engine. His pace and aggression force defenses to react. Joel Embiid is the Process: the foundation and interior force who gives Philadelphia an answer when the game slows down. Jaylen Brown is the Swiss Army knife, supplying scoring, physicality and defensive versatility. LeBron James is the Godfather, bringing experience and a feel for the moments that matter. VJ Edgecombe is the Karate Kid, learning from accomplished veterans while bringing youthful energy.

Those roles are more important than simply adding up the star power. We have watched talented rosters struggle when everyone needs the same touches. The early encouragement for Philadelphia is that these pieces appear to understand how they can help one another.

We are not ready to call this the best roster Embiid has ever had. The 2018–19 team with Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick had serious championship potential and took Toronto to the final shot of Game 7. The 2020–21 group earned the East’s top seed and had a strong regular-season identity. This version has a chance to enter that conversation, but it needs months of evidence, not two games.

For Cleveland, blowing such a large lead is an early warning about execution and responding to defensive pressure. One loss does not erase its contender status, but it shows how quickly a game can change when the opponent starts winning the effort plays.

4DK VERDICT: The comeback matters. The chemistry behind it matters even more. Philadelphia looks hungry, and the East should be paying attention.

OKLAHOMA CITY 96 · DENVER 84

SGA DID NOT NEED 20. THAT IS THE WARNING.

The Thunder did not need an explosive Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring performance to beat Denver. That is the point. Their defense, rebounding and supporting cast allowed them to control a difficult matchup without depending on one superstar to manufacture every basket.

Jalen Williams gives OKC another creator. Chet Holmgren changes the game around the rim and on the glass. The perimeter defenders can pressure the ball and disrupt rhythm. When those elements are working together, the Thunder have more ways to win than teams built around one offensive formula.

Denver remains dangerous because Nikola Jokić can solve almost any defensive coverage over a series. One October game does not settle a playoff matchup. But Oklahoma City showed how uncomfortable it can make even elite offenses when it gets stops and forces opponents into tougher possessions.

4DK VERDICT: The best version of OKC is not always the one where Shai scores 40. It is the one where he can score fewer than 20 and the Thunder still win through their collective identity.

THE WESTERN CONFERENCE

WHO CAN REALLY PUSH OKC?

San Antonio has the most fascinating ceiling because Victor Wembanyama can alter a series at both ends. Minnesota brings Anthony Edwards, physicality and defensive personnel that translate to playoff basketball. Houston is our wildcard: the size, toughness and depth are there if the offense develops the right consistency.

Denver belongs in that conversation, too. We would not place the Nuggets automatically ahead of those other challengers, but writing off a Jokić-led team after one loss would be a mistake.

4DK FINAL WORD: Philadelphia gave us the night’s defining comeback. Oklahoma City gave us a reminder of what sustainable winning looks like. One team is discovering its chemistry; the other is proving the value of a system that survives an off scoring night from its superstar.