From PhillyVoice · · 1m 50s
LeBron James' playmaking, Joel Embiid's turnovers
Sixers' preseason debut: LeBron James shines, Embiid struggles with turnovers.
In brief
Sixers' preseason debut: LeBron James shines, Embiid struggles with turnovers. LeBron James made five assists in his Sixers preseason debut, while Joel Embiid committed eight turnovers. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Sixers' preseason debut
The Sixers played their second preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, October 9, 2026.
Coach Nick Nurse's assessment
Nurse said the team had 'good things happening right off the bat' but also 'turned the ball over a lot' during their first game together.
LeBron James' playmaking
James made five assists in his Sixers preseason debut, all coming in the first quarter before the team experienced significant turnover issues.
Joel Embiid's turnovers
Embiid committed eight turnovers in 24 minutes, calling it 'the first game' where he needs to 'do a better job of taking care of the ball'.
Player reactions
Embiid said his first game often looks like a mess but he's 'extremely happy he was out there with the group'.
VJ Edgecombe's praise
Edgecombe called James 'loud' defensively and said he 'creates plays' without caring who scores.
Turnover analysis
The Sixers' five starters shared the floor for the first time, with 11 second-quarter turnovers leaving a poor taste.
Embiid's perspective
Embiid acknowledged his first game often looks messy but said he's 'going to take a few games to get there'.
James' impact
James' communication skills were already showing up for the Sixers, with his ability to create plays and get teammates open.
Team dynamics
The team experienced clunky segments but Nurse emphasized learning experiences and improvements for the next game.
What happens next
The Sixers will continue their preseason with more games to build chemistry and address turnover issues.
The bottom line
LeBron James made five assists in his Sixers preseason debut, while Joel Embiid committed eight turnovers.
