Nets Spoil LeBron James’ 76ers Debut With Preseason Win

The Brooklyn Nets spoiled LeBron James’ Philadelphia 76ers debut on Thursday night, earning a 114-108 preseason victory at Barclays Center after taking control in the third quarter and holding off a late Philadelphia rally.

Brooklyn entered the matchup shorthanded, with Michael Porter Jr. (left wrist soreness), Day’Ron Sharpe (left shoulder soreness), Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle recovery) and Joshua Jefferson (lower back) all sidelined. Philadelphia, meanwhile, featured its projected starting five of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, James, and Joel Embiid.

The Sixers got off to a quick start, shooting efficiently in the opening quarter and taking advantage of Brooklyn’s defensive struggles. Maxey led the way early, while James made an immediate impact as a playmaker, finding teammates for easy baskets.

Brooklyn kept pace behind Egor Dëmin, who knocked down an early three-pointer before adding a fadeaway jumper. Julius Randle and Mo Wagner also helped keep the Nets in the game, while Keon Ellis made his presence felt defensively with steals that led to fast-break layups.

The teams traded baskets throughout the opening period, with neither side able to create much separation. Maxey finished the quarter with 10 points, while James recorded four points and five assists. Dëmin led Brooklyn with seven points, and Chaney Johnson added six off the bench. Philadelphia shot 12-of-19 from the field in the first quarter, but Brooklyn kept pace, leaving the teams tied at 33-33 heading into the second.

The back-and-forth action continued in the second quarter, with Brooklyn finding success by forcing turnovers. Wagner was particularly disruptive, stealing the ball from Embiid and converting a fast-break layup before getting under the Sixers' skin as the teams grew increasingly physical.

Philadelphia struggled to take care of the basketball, committing 14 turnovers in the first half. Brooklyn capitalized on those mistakes, but its own defensive issues and struggles on the glass kept the game close. The Nets were outrebounded 25-12 and sent Philadelphia to the free-throw line 24 times, allowing the Sixers to take a 58-56 halftime lead.

Maxey had 14 points at the break, while James recorded 10 points, four rebounds and five assists. Dëmin led Brooklyn with 11 points, and Randle had 10.

The Nets came out of halftime with a different level of energy, even with James and Maxey sitting out the second half. Brooklyn's offense picked up, and the team did a much better job on the glass as it started finding more consistent success attacking the basket.

Randle threw down a dunk, Noah Clowney contributed on both ends, and Ellis knocked down another three-pointer as Brooklyn gradually built its advantage. Danny Wolf also connected from beyond the arc, helping the Nets create some breathing room.

The biggest swing came late in the third quarter. Brooklyn put together an 11-0 run, with Nolan Traore knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to cap the surge. The Nets outscored Philadelphia 37-23 in the period, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a 93-81 advantage heading into the fourth.

Brooklyn carried that momentum into the final quarter, with Ben Saraf, Grant Nelson, and Tyler Bilodeau contributing after entering the game for the first time. Saraf knocked down a three-pointer, Bilodeau scored on a floater, and Nelson provided a strong presence around the basket as the Nets stretched their lead to 16 points.

Philadelphia made things interesting down the stretch. Jameer Nelson Jr. helped spark a late rally, scoring in transition and knocking down a three-pointer as the Sixers put together a run of their own. Justin Edwards added a three-pointer that brought Philadelphia within one at 109-108, putting the pressure back on Brooklyn after the Nets had appeared to have the game under control.

The Nets answered with three consecutive baskets. Humrichous finished a cut to the basket, Saraf added a free throw, and Bilodeau scored on a layup to push the lead back to six and put the game away.

Randle led the Nets with 14 points and six rebounds, while Dëmin finished with 13 points and five assists. Traore and Ellis each scored 12 points, and Clowney added 11. Wolf contributed nine points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Nelson finished with eight points.

For Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 18 points. Maxey added 14, while James finished his first game with the Sixers with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.

The Nets will return to action Monday night when they visit the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET. Philadelphia's next preseason game is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET against the Boston Celtics.