Nets Beat 76ers 114-108 in Preseason as LeBron James Debuts for Philadelphia The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-108 in a preseason game on Oct. 8, 2026 in Philadelphia, spoiling LeBron James's first appearance in a 76ers uniform. Julius Randle led the Nets with 14 points. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-108 in a preseason NBA game on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Philadelphia, spoiling LeBron James's first appearance in a 76ers uniform. James, who joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season, had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half, helping Philadelphia to a 58-56 lead. The 41-year-old forward was credited with only one shot from the field in 18 minutes, though he was fouled four times and made all eight free throws. James knew Thursday night would feel different, playing for Philadelphia for the first time.James on Adjusting to New UniformObviously, 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 have been going at each other in practice for the last two weeks, a week and a half, or whatever the case may be.James did not attempt a shot until he was fouled on a drive to the basket with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. But with Philadelphia's firepower, the NBA's career scoring leader might not need to look for his offense very much. The 76ers got a first look at the potent lineup they put together this summer. James and fellow All-Star newcomer Jaylen Brown started with holdovers Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.The 76ers missed their first shot when James threw a pass low toward Embiid's feet. The 7-footer caught it awkwardly but was off-balance and shot an airball on a turnaround jumper. Philadelphia then made its next seven shots, with James finding open men himself or on one possession slipping a pass to Embiid, who moved it to Brown for a dunk.Nurse Praises James Passing SkillsHe is a great, great passer, and that was certainly on display tonight, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of James, who is also fourth on the NBA's list with more than 12,000 assists. Nurse wanted to play his starters about half the game, though Embiid was still on the floor to start the second half with Brown and Edgecombe. Most of them sat out a victory over the New York Knicks in their preseason opener on Monday.James spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before signing a two-year deal with the 76ers for the league minimum. The new guy seemed already in charge in his new locker room, turning the music on loud when he returned from a pregame workout to continue getting ready. His blue 76ers uniform sat folded on the floor next to his chair.Obviously, I have my routine, but when you go through an offseason, you have got to remember what your routine was again, no matter how many, how long you have been in it, James said. So, just thinking about, like, which buses do I remember taking, you know? What was my routine when I got over to the arena? How do I get ready for the game and things of that nature.So all that stuff plays a part. So I am still getting into the whole everything, on the court and off the court, living and also being around these guys every day. It is a lot of adjustment for me, but, every day we will get better and better. For the Nets, Julius Randle finished with a team-high 14 points and a team-high-tying six rebounds, along with two steals and two assists in 21:37.Randle Embraces Brooklyn Leadership RoleRandle, acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a salary dump, is the only All-Star on Brooklyn's roster and has embraced a leadership role. I mean, you said it, three-time All-Star, has been in the playoffs multiple times, and he is coming here and the first one to dive on the floor and to pick up full court, Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said.I could not ask for a better leader and a better vet right there, or a grown-up, because obviously he is not old. He is a very young player. Very happy because we need that and that is contagious. Those to me are what we call winning plays, right?You dive for a ball, you get it, and then we score. So that picks up the momentum and the energy in the building. So very, very happy with that play. And there were other plays where we tried to do the same thing.Randle said he and Fernandez have discussed his playing some small-ball center in five-out schemes. The Nets were without Michael Porter Jr. (left wrist soreness), Day'Ron Sharpe (left shoulder soreness), Mikel Brown Jr. (ankle recovery) and Joshua Jefferson (lower back). I do not know, Fernandez said of the injured players. We will see how they feel.Mike was just sore. Mikel is doing a great job, getting close to get back. So we will assess them. We have a day off Friday, see how they feel coming back and making those decisions.But we are happy with where everybody is right now health-wise. The Nets have signed guard Dion Brown. Mo Wagner started in place of Sharpe. He said he is still getting used to Brooklyn's defense, but he notched a game-high four steals.Johnson Takes Pride in Defensive PlayChaney Johnson added two more steals, along with a couple of blocks. I take a lot of pride in my defense. That is my calling card, Johnson told The Post. Johnson, on a two-way contract, played a lot of center Thursday at just 6-foot-8.Yeah, his versatility, multi-positional, really strong, can guard multiple positions, Fernandez said. He can play on both sides of the floor and played multiple positions. The 76ers have two remaining preseason games, both against the Boston Celtics, who traded Brown to Philadelphia shortly before James signed. The Sixers play their season opener on Oct. 20 in New York, where the Knicks will raise the banner to celebrate their NBA championship.