What happened: The new pairing opened the 2026-27 season with a victory to move to 1-0. James finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in his debut with his new club. Maxey added 28 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Why it matters: The opener offers an early look at fit between the pairing built on years of 5 a.m. workouts together and its lead guard. A clean start eases pressure before rotation and closing roles settle.

What to watch: The pairing gets its next test as the opening-week schedule continues.