LeBron Throws Down Monster Dunk in 76ers Home Debut — SkimNews
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- LeBron James threw down a two-handed dunk off a half-court lob from Tyrese Maxey in front of a sellout crowd of 19,746, his first preseason appearance at home in a Sixers uniform.
- James, 41, finished with eight points and eight rebounds against the Boston Celtics in a 125-120 overtime preseason loss — nothing that counts toward his career stats.
- James signed a two-year deal at the league minimum with the 76ers this summer after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining for his NBA-record 24th season.
- Maxey is credited by James as a close friend who swayed his decision to sign with Philadelphia; James called their lob connection "one of the best things for us offensively."
- Joel Embiid still received the final player introduction despite James's arrival, underscoring the existing star hierarchy in Philly.
- Jaylen Brown scored 20 points against his former Celtics team in his first game back since being traded to the Sixers in the offseason after winning 2024 Finals MVP.
- The 76ers open the regular season Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, who will raise their championship banner; Philadelphia's home opener is Thursday against Cleveland.
Why it matters: The preseason dunk was theater, but James cited unfinished business ("working on our rhythm, working on our kinks") and James, Embiid, and Maxey have yet to play a meaningful game together — a concern amplified by Tuesday's MSG opener against a Knicks squad celebrating its own championship.
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