LeBron James beaten on 76ers preseason debut

LeBron James suffered defeat on his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a pre-season game on 2026-10-09, saying it "is going to take some time" for his new team-mates to gel. He described the outing as "a good sample size for us to build on," after the loss.

The 41-year-old joined the 76ers in July on what he says will be his final contract and is entering a record-extending 24th NBA season. James is the highest points scorer in the history of the league and arrives in Philadelphia following a long, decorated career.

In his partial debut, James scored 10 points and added four rebounds, five assists and a steal in 18 first-half minutes as the 76ers fell 114-108 to the Brooklyn Nets. The statistics came in a pre-season setting as he worked alongside his new teammates.

On court for Philadelphia alongside Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, James shared minutes with the core group as they adjusted to playing together. Jaylen Brown led the 76ers in scoring with 18 points in the game.

James has won NBA titles with every franchise he has played for, including two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the Los Angeles Lakers. He left the Lakers this summer after spending eight years with the franchise.

He has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player four times, all between 2009 and 2013, and has been an NBA All-Star the last 22 seasons running. Those honours accompany his move to Philadelphia in what he has called the final stage of his career.

James is aiming to help the 76ers win their first NBA title in 43 years, a goal he has made central to his decision to join the franchise.