NBA

Philadelphia 76ers to Feature Starters Including LeBron James Against Nets

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 9, 2026, 02:12 IST

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to field their primary rotation, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, for Thursday's preseason matchup against the Brooklyn Nets following a successful practice session.

Philadelphia 76ers to Feature Starters Including LeBron James Against Nets

The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing to showcase their full-strength lineup in Thursday's preseason encounter against the Brooklyn Nets. Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed the team's intentions, provided that the core group of players successfully navigated Wednesday's training session without any health setbacks.

The planned rotation is expected to feature a high-profile core, with LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe all slated to see significant action. Nurse indicated that he aims to have this primary unit play together during the first half of the contest, offering fans their first look at the team's marquee roster in a competitive setting.

Building Momentum for the Regular Season

This upcoming appearance marks a notable shift from the team's preseason opener on Monday against the New York Knicks. During that victory, James, Embiid, and Maxey were held out as healthy scratches, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate other members of the squad. The decision to integrate the starters into the rotation on Thursday suggests a move toward establishing chemistry and rhythm as the regular season approaches.

The supporting cast demonstrated strong form in the absence of the team's primary stars earlier in the week. Jaylen Brown led the offensive effort against the Knicks, contributing 22 points in just 17 minutes of play. VJ Edgecombe also made a significant impact, recording 12 points and seven assists over 20 minutes of court time. With the starters now expected to join the fold, the 76ers will look to build upon the momentum generated by those individual performances as they continue their preseason schedule.