Basketball superstar LeBron James made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA preseason on October 9, 2026, falling 108-114 to the Brooklyn Nets and German world champion Moritz Wagner, as reported by dpa Sport / Thomas Meyer. Playing his first minutes since joining the franchise in the summer after an eight-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 41-year-old forward featured alongside Philadelphia’s expected starting lineup.
First-Half Minutes and Stat Line in Philadelphia Debut
As noted in reports by dpa-infocom, the league’s all-time leading scorer shared the floor during his initial appearance with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe. “I was glad to finally be able to play a few minutes with the guys I’ve been working hard with in training over the last week and a half, two weeks,” James said after the contest.
Head Coach Nick Nurse Praises Playmaking After Defeat
“He’s a great playmaker, and he definitely proved that tonight,” Nurse said of James, who becomes the fourth club for his storied career following stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Moritz Wagner Shines as Starter for the Brooklyn Nets
On the opposing side, fellow newcomer Moritz Wagner made a strong impression in his first start for Brooklyn. The 29-year-old German world champion, who transferred from the Orlando Magic in the offseason, played 18 minutes with his trademark defensive intensity, recording six points, four steals, three rebounds, and one assist. The victory lifts the Nets to a 2-0 record in the preseason, while Philadelphia moves to 1-1.
