LeBron James Set for 76ers Debut as Starters Plan to Play vs. Nets
Philadelphia plans to play LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe together in Thursday's preseason game at Brooklyn, sources told ESPN.
Fans searching for the Sixers on Thursday are mostly looking for one thing: when LeBron James will first take the floor for Philadelphia. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the team plans to play its starters against the Nets, giving fans a first look at the new-look lineup.
What we know
Nurse told reporters that if his main players came through Wednesday's practice healthy, he hoped to play "the majority" of them together in the first half. That group is James, Embiid, Maxey, Brown and Edgecombe. NBA.com's version of the story says the plan holds barring any setbacks before the game.
James, Embiid and Maxey were all healthy scratches in Philadelphia's preseason opener on Monday. That means Thursday would be the first time this starting five plays together in a preseason game.
James joined the Sixers in free agency this offseason, according to NBA.com. Brown arrived in a trade with the Boston Celtics. They join Embiid, a former MVP, Maxey, a two-time All-Star, and Edgecombe, a 2026 All-Rookie First Team guard. NBA.com says the group is meant to push Philadelphia into title contention.
How the Sixers looked in the opener
Without three of their starters, the Sixers beat the New York Knicks 120-97 on Monday. NBA.com describes the Knicks as the defending champions.
Brown made an immediate impact in his Sixers debut, scoring 22 points in 17 minutes. Edgecombe added 12 points and seven assists in 20 minutes.
The Nets side
Brooklyn is hosting its second preseason game. The Nets opened with a 124-90 win over the Charlotte Hornets, according to a report syndicated on Yahoo Sports. Julius Randle made his Nets debut in that game and played 18 minutes.
What happens next
Preseason minutes are usually limited, so how long the starters stay on the floor will be up to Nurse. His stated hope was to use them together in the first half. Fans should expect the rotation to be managed. The sources do not say how many minutes any player will get.
After the game, the main questions will be how the five starters fit together and how James looks physically. Yahoo's roundup also includes a headline saying the Sixers haven't ruled out James playing backup-center minutes this season. That is worth watching once the regular season nears.
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Quick answers
Is LeBron James playing for the 76ers tonight?
Sources told ESPN the Sixers plan to play their starters, including James, against the Nets on Thursday. The plan depended on everyone staying healthy. Nurse said he hoped to play them together in the first half.
Did LeBron play in the Sixers' first preseason game?
No. James, Embiid and Maxey were all healthy scratches in Monday's 120-97 win over the Knicks.
Who else is in the Sixers' starting lineup?
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe are expected to start alongside James.
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