Overview
- LeBron James made his first appearance in a 76ers uniform on Thursday, starting at Barclays Center alongside Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in a 108-114 preseason loss.
- He played about 18 minutes and was credited with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds, with both he and coach Nick Nurse calling the game a small sample of how the group will work together.
- The 76ers used a cautious rotation for starters in the exhibition, a plan shaped by James’s history of chronic left-foot arthritis and lumbar sciatica that will guide his workload this season.
- Philadelphia will keep using preseason games, including a trip to Boston, to build chemistry before opening the regular season at Madison Square Garden on October 20.
- At 41 and entering a record 24th NBA season on a two-year minimum deal after eight years with the Lakers, James’s debut begins what many see as the final phase of his career and could reshape the 76ers’ title hopes if health and rotations hold.