Peyton Watson Sends Clear Message Before Cavaliers Face LeBron James, 76ers

The Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2026-27 season Thursday at the Philadelphia 76ers, the first time they will face LeBron James since he signed with Philadelphia in late July.

Tip-off at Xfinity Mobile Arena is 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is Philadelphia's home opener, two nights after the 76ers open at Madison Square Garden while the New York Knicks raise their championship banner.

Cleveland pursued James in free agency before he picked the 76ers. James Harden had declined a $42.3 million player option during that chase.

Philadelphia also traded Paul George and draft picks for Jaylen Brown on July 1. James and Brown join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe under 76ers coach Nick Nurse.

Dean Wade is on the other bench, too. He spent seven seasons in Cleveland before signing with Philadelphia this summer.

The 76ers went 45-37 last season and took the seventh seed in the East through the play-in tournament. They came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round, winning Game 7 in Boston, before the Knicks swept them in the second round.

Cleveland beat Philadelphia 132-121 and 115-101 in its two home meetings with the 76ers last season.

Sam Merrill was limited in practice Monday with right elbow soreness, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin did not practice because of back tightness. Khalifa Diop is working back from an injury setback. None of the three played in the preseason finale.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said he would probably wait until game time to settle his 10-man rotation. This week he has also discussed Jaylon Tyson's calls about his role, and he plans to use Craig Porter Jr. better than Cleveland ever has.

Cleveland's projected starters are Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. That group first played together in an Oct. 11 preseason win over the Orlando Magic, when Harden scored 24 points in his Cleveland preseason debut.

Philadelphia's depth behind Embiid took a hit in the preseason when backup center Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles tendon, according to Fox Sports.

Opponents cannot wait to play Cleveland, as Watson sees it, and the Cavaliers feel the same way about them.

"It's tricky, because you always want to keep a competitive edge, but there are no excuses in this game," Watson said. "You've got to be ready to play on the 22nd, and that's definitely the best step."

Watson's Cleveland debut comes after four seasons in Denver. He averaged 14.6 points last season.

The game is the first of two meetings in 15 days. Philadelphia visits Rocket Arena on Nov. 6 in an NBA Cup group game, James' first game in Cleveland as a 76er.

The Cavaliers' home opener is Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET.