LeBron James showcased his passing ability in his first action wearing a Philadelphia uniform, taking just one official shot but compiling five assists on Thursday in his first preseason game with the 76ers.
James wound up with 10 points, thanks to 8-for-8 shooting from the foul line, as the Sixers lost 114-108 to the Brooklyn Nets in New York. The 41-year-old star sat out the second half.
After James didn’t appear in Philadelphia’s preseason opener on Monday against the NBA champion New York Knicks, he played Thursday to give the 76ers a glimpse at their revamped starting lineup. James and fellow newcomer Jaylen Brown teamed with Philadelphia holdovers Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid.
“Obviously, I was wearing a new uniform, but the game is the game, and the game is needed to be played on the floor,” James said. “And I was happy to be able to log some minutes with the guys that we’ve been going at each other in practice for the last two weeks, a week and a half, or whatever the case may be.”
In the first quarter, James logged four points, all on free throws, and five assists. His lone basket came near the midpoint of the second period, when he sank a layup to put Philadelphia on top 40-39.
James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option to join the 76ers as a free agent in July.
In 60 games for the Lakers last season, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, down from his career norms of 26.8, 7.5 and 7.4, respectively.
The 22-time All-Star is the NBA’s all-time leader in games played (1,622) and points (43,440). He won championship rings with the Miami Heat (2011-12 and 2012-13), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2015-16) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20).
