LeBron James Makes 76ers Preseason Debut, But Brooklyn Nets Win 114-108

NBA superstar LeBron James made his preseason debut in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform with a solid first half, but his new team still lost 114-108 on the road to the Brooklyn Nets.

James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, announced in July that he had signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, ending weeks of speculation about the destination of the four-time NBA champion after eight seasons and one title with the Los Angeles Lakers.

At 41, James is entering his record-extending 24th NBA season, having won two championships with Miami, one with Cleveland and one with the Lakers. He has set his sights on delivering the Sixers their first title since Julius Erving led the franchise to the crown 43 years ago.

Thursday's game was the first time James shared the floor with new teammates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who recently arrived from the Boston Celtics.

"It felt a little different," James said. "Obviously, wearing a new uniform, but basketball is basketball.

"We're still trying to put each other in positions to succeed and complement each other as best we can on the floor," he added. "But it's going to take time. Tonight was a good test for us to keep building on."

James scored 10 points, making his only field-goal attempt and hitting all eight of his free throws. He also had four rebounds, five assists and one steal in 18 minutes and 4 seconds in the first half.

Brown led the scoring with 18 points. Julius Randle had 14 for the Nets, who outscored the Sixers 37-23 in the third quarter to seize control of the game.

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But all eyes were on James, starting with his signature pregame powder toss in a 76ers uniform.

James ran the Sixers' offense smoothly during his time on the floor, dishing out all five of his assists in the first half and combining effectively with Maxey.

"I thought there were some really good things that happened right from the start," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after seeing the starting lineup together for the first time.

"A bunch of good cuts and passes and so on. There were stretches where we obviously turned the ball over a lot... and some small bits of awkwardness. But again, it's preseason, the first time they've stood together.

"I think you should look at what was good and the lessons, the things that can improve."

The 76ers have two more preseason games, both against Boston, before opening the regular season against reigning champions the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20.

James's arrival has also brought outside "noise" for the 76ers to deal with.

James took to Instagram to push back against a report from a broadcaster during the team's first preseason game on Monday that he had reprimanded Embiid for arriving late to practice.

"He wasn't late, so stop lying," James posted.

James acknowledged at the team's media day last month that the outside noise surrounding the 76ers would be "doubled, tripled and quadrupled with me here."