LeBron James scores 10 points in 76ers preseason debut as Nets win 114-108
In short
LeBron James played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 8, a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York, scoring 10 points with five assists and four rebounds in 18 minutes, all in the first half. The Guardian reported that the Nets won 114-108 after outscoring Philadelphia 37-23 in the third quarter.
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LeBron James played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Oct. 8, a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York. According to the Associated Press and The Guardian, James scored 10 points in 18 minutes, all in the first half, making his only shot from the field and all eight of his free-throw attempts. He added five assists and four rebounds, and The Guardian also credited him with a steal. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The AP reported that the 76ers led 58-56 at half-time. The Guardian reported that the Nets outscored the 76ers 37-23 in the third quarter and won 114-108. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 18 points, and Julius Randle had 14 for the Nets. The Guardian said James recorded all five of his assists in the first quarter. [ 2 , 4 ]
"Obviously, I was wearing a new uniform, but the game is the game, and the game is needed to be played on the floor," James said, according to the AP. 76ers coach Nick Nurse, seeing his starters together for the first time, said there were "some really good things happening" but that there were segments where the team turned the ball over a lot, The Guardian reported. [ 2 , 4 ]
James, 41, joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season. The Guardian reported that he announced in July a two-year, $8m deal, after eight seasons and one title with the Los Angeles Lakers. The game was his first chance to play alongside Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who arrived from the Boston Celtics. James, Embiid and Maxey sat out the preseason opener against the New York Knicks, which the 76ers won 120-97, Newsweek reported. Philadelphia has not won a championship since 1983 and, according to Newsweek, has not reached the NBA Finals since 2001. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Newsweek reported that broadcaster Mike Breen said during the Knicks game that Embiid had arrived at practice late and James "let him hear it." The story was denied, Nurse brushed off the rumors and Breen apologized. The 76ers play two more preseason games against the Celtics, on Saturday in Boston and at home on Oct. 16, before opening the regular season on Oct. 20 at the Knicks, Newsweek reported. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The game was the first time James played alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown, according to The Guardian. Newsweek wrote that expectations for the 76ers are high with James and Brown joining the team, which has not won a championship since 1983.
Key facts
- LeBron James made his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- James scored 10 points in 18 minutes, all in the first half. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- James made his only shot from the field and all eight of his free throws, with five assists and four rebounds. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The Nets won 114-108, outscoring the 76ers 37-23 in the third quarter, The Guardian reported. [ 4 ]
- Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 18 points; Julius Randle had 14 for the Nets. [ 4 ]
- James, 41, is entering an NBA-record 24th season and signed a two-year, $8m deal with the 76ers, announced in July. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- James played his first game for the 76ers in a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- James scored 10 points in his 76ers preseason debut. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- James played 18 minutes, made one shot from the field and all eight free throws, and had five assists and four rebounds. [ 2 , 4 ]
- James is 41 and is entering his 24th NBA season. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The 76ers have not won a championship since 1983. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The final score of 114-108 for the Nets. Only The Guardian reports the final result; the AP text available covers the first half, when the 76ers led 58-56.
- Whether James reprimanded Joel Embiid for arriving late to practice. Broadcaster Mike Breen said so during a game, but Newsweek reported the story was denied, Nick Nurse brushed off the rumors and Breen apologized.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsweek reports, citing ESPN's Dave McMenamin, that James is expected to make his 76ers debut against the Nets that night. [ 1 ]
- The Associated Press reports James had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half as the 76ers led 58-56. [ 2 ]
- The Guardian reports the Nets won 114-108. [ 4 ]
- Reuters reports on Oct. 9 that James scored 10 points in his 76ers preseason debut. [ 5 ]