NBA superstar LeBron James delivered a solid first half in his first preseason appearance for Philadelphia, though the newly configured 76ers fell 114-108 to the Brooklyn Nets.
James, the league's all-time leading scorer, signed a two-year, $8m contract with the 76ers in July, concluding widespread speculation regarding his destination as a free agent after eight seasons and one championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 41-year-old veteran, entering a record-extending 24th NBA campaign, has previously captured titles with Miami, Cleveland, and the Lakers. He now aims to help Philadelphia secure its first championship since Julius Erving led the franchise to glory 43 years ago.
Thursday marked James's debut alongside new teammates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and recent acquisition Jaylen Brown, who arrived via trade from the Boston Celtics. James acknowledged the adjustment period after the game, noting that wearing a new uniform felt different while emphasizing that the team will need time to build chemistry and learn to complement each other effectively.
During 18 minutes of action limited to the first half, James scored 10 points without missing a shot from the field and sinking all eight of his free-throw attempts. He also contributed four rebounds, five assists, and a steal, directing the offense smoothly and recording all five of his assists in the opening quarter.
Brown led all scorers with 18 points, while Julius Randle paced the Nets with 14. Brooklyn seized control of the contest by outscoring Philadelphia 37-23 in the third quarter.
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse pointed to encouraging flashes during the first outing for his starting lineup, citing effective passing and back cuts alongside expected early-game turnovers and transitional rough patches typical of a preseason opener.
The 76ers have two remaining preseason matchups against Boston before tipping off the regular season against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20.
Since joining the franchise, James's presence has already drawn heightened media attention. He recently used social media to dismiss an unverified broadcast report claiming he had reprimanded Embiid for arriving late to practice, reinforcing his previous statements that external scrutiny surrounding the team would intensify significantly with his arrival.