76ers Draw 10,000 Fans for LeBron, Brown Scrimmage Debut — SkimNews
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- The 76ers hosted their Blue-White scrimmage at Xfinity Mobile Arena before approximately 10,000 fans, relocating the exhibition from their G League affiliate's Delaware venue to handle the surge in interest in the new-look roster.
- LeBron James said taking the practice floor to a game-floor setting was "a great first step in the direction we're trying to go," noting he has had only four official Sixers practices plus the scrimmage to acclimate.
- Joel Embiid, described as "noticeably slimmed-down," said he felt "pretty good, not bad" physically, while James praised him as "so much more healthier" than at the 2024 Paris Olympics and confirmed Embiid hasn't missed a practice.
- Early on-court chemistry included Tyrese Maxey and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope delivering alley-oop feeds to the 41-year-old James, Embiid sinking an above-the-break 3 off a James assist, and Embiid blocking second-year guard VJ Edgecombe.
- The scrimmage was limited to three 10-minute quarters with each period starting at 80-80 to simulate late-game scenarios, and the team kept no official box score.
- The Sixers open a four-game preseason slate Monday at home against the New York Knicks after receiving Sunday off, with James saying the goal is to "get a rhythm" without overdoing it.
Why it matters: Monday's preseason opener against the Knicks will be the first real-game test of how James, Brown, and a reportedly healthier Embiid actually mesh in live action after just one week of training camp. The 10,000 fans who lined up for a no-box-score scrimmage signals unusually high early demand for this roster, and the 80-80 simulated end-of-game quarters show coach Nick Nurse is prioritizing late-situation reps from day one.
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