LeBron James debuts for 76ers with 10 points, 5 assists in preseason loss

LeBron James delivered a composed performance in his first game as a Philadelphia 76er, contributing 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds in 18 minutes during a preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was substituted out at halftime, leaving the court with the Sixers leading 58-56, before Brooklyn outscored Philadelphia 37-23 in the third quarter to secure a 114-108 victory.

The game marked James’ first opportunity to play alongside his new teammates, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown, who recently joined the roster from the Boston Celtics. According to The Guardian, James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in July, ending weeks of speculation following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons. The 41-year-old is entering his record-extending 24th NBA season, aiming to help the Sixers win their first championship since 1983.

James’ offensive output was efficient, with his only field goal coming from the rim in the second quarter, assisted by Maxey. He also made all eight of his free-throw attempts. In the first quarter, he drew a foul from Keon Ellis and dished his first assist of the season to Edgecombe for a layup. His pre-game chalk toss, a signature ritual, was performed for the first time in a 76ers uniform, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the Barclays Center crowd.

NBA analysts have noted James’ shift toward a point-forward role, emphasizing his playmaking over scoring. According to reporting from Yahoo Sports, broadcasters described his approach as that of a “chess player,” comparing his strategic impact to that of Tom Brady in his final years. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 18 points, while Julius Randle added 14 for the Nets. The performance offers an early look at the revamped Sixers’ offensive dynamics as the regular season approaches.