NBA celebrity LeBron James delivered a stable first half in his first pre-season recreation for Philadelphia on Thursday, however the new-look 76ers fell 114-108 to the Nets in Brooklyn.
LeBron, the NBA’s all-time main scorer, introduced in July that he had signed a two-year, $8 million take care of the 76ers, ending weeks of hypothesis over the place the four-time NBA champion would land as a free agent after eight seasons and one title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 41-year-old celebrity, getting into a record-extending twenty fourth NBA season, received two titles with Miami, one other with Cleveland and a fourth with the Lakers and is aiming to assist the Sixers win their first title since Julius Erving led the membership to the crown 43 years in the past.
Thursday’s recreation marked his first likelihood to line up alongside new teammates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown — a brand new arrival from the Boston Celtics.
“It felt slightly totally different,” LeBron stated. “Clearly, simply sporting a brand new uniform, however the recreation is the sport.
“We’re nonetheless making an attempt to place one another ready to achieve success and complement one another one of the simplest ways we are able to out on the ground,” he added. “Nevertheless it’s going to take a while. Tonight was a very good pattern measurement for us to construct on.”
LeBron scored 10 factors, connecting on his lone shot from the ground and making all eight of his free-throw makes an attempt. He added 4 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in 18:04 minutes within the first half.
Brown led all scorers with 18 factors. Julius Randle had 14 for the Nets, who out-scored the Sixers 37-23 within the third quarter to take management.
However all eyes have been on LeBron, beginning together with his first signature pre-game chalk-toss in a 76ers uniform.
LeBron easily directed the Sixers offense in his time on the ground, making all 5 of his assists within the first quarter and mixing successfully with Maxey.
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“I believe there was some actually good issues occurring, you already know, proper off the bat,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated after seeing his starters collectively for the primary time.
“A bunch of again cuts and good passing et cetera… there have been segments the place clearly we turned the ball over lots… simply the little clunky segments, too. However, once more, it’s pre-season, first time they’re collectively.
“I believe you take a look at it as what’s good and what are the training experiences, issues that we are able to enhance.”
The 76ers have two extra pre-season video games, each in opposition to Boston, earlier than opening the NBA common season in opposition to the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard on October 20.
LeBron’s arrival has already discovered the 76ers battling outdoors “noise.”
LeBron took to Instagram to refute a report from a play-by-play announcer in the course of the workforce’s first pre-season recreation on Monday that LeBron had admonished Embiid for being late to a follow.
“He ain’t been late, so cease the lie,” LeBron posted.
LeBron had acknowledged on the workforce’s media day final month that such outdoors hubbub across the 76ers can be “doubled, tripled and quadrupled now that I’m right here.”
Printed on Oct 09, 2026