LeBron James Debuts for Philadelphia in Preseason Loss

LeBron James, in his 24th NBA season at age 41, experienced a new moment in his career during his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers. The game, a preseason matchup against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Thursday night, ended in a 114-108 loss for Philadelphia. James, who joined the Sixers this summer after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, played 18 minutes, scoring 10 points on perfect 8-for-8 free throw shooting, and adding five assists and four rebounds. He contributed to the Sixers holding a 58-56 lead at halftime. The Nets took control in the second half, with contributions from Israeli players Danny Wolf, who scored 9 points, and Ben Sharf, who added 5 points including a crucial late basket. James acknowledged the adjustment, stating, "Obviously, I was wearing new uniforms, but the game is the same game, and that's what needs to be applied on the court." He added that it felt "a bit different" and that he is still getting used to his new team, including daily routines and game preparation. "There are a lot of things I need to get used to, but day by day we will improve," James said. His playmaking was evident early, assisting V.J. Edgecombe for a layup. Edgecombe, who finished with 11 points, noted how he plans to leverage the attention James draws from defenses. Coach Nick Nurse also praised James's passing and game reading, though he acknowledged James can play better. "But I'm very happy he was on the court with the rest of the players, and I was happy to see how much he tried," Nurse commented.