From the HERE City National Desk
NEW YORK — LeBron James made his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, finishing with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half before sitting out the rest of a 114-108 defeat.
The 41-year-old forward, entering his NBA-record 24th season after signing a two-year deal with the 76ers this summer, was credited with only one shot from the field in 18 minutes. He was fouled four times and made all eight free throws.
James and fellow All-Star newcomer Jaylen Brown started with holdovers Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, giving Philadelphia its first look at the summer-built lineup. Maxey scored 14 points, and the other starters each scored at least six.
Coach Nick Nurse said he expected to play his starters about half the game. James spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining Philadelphia on a league-minimum contract.
The 76ers have two preseason games remaining, both against the Boston Celtics, before their season opener on October 20 in New York against the reigning-champion Knicks. James said after the game that every day the new group will get better and better as he adjusts on and off the court.
