The Sixers‘depth in the center behind the often damaged star Joel Embiid was a concern ahead of the 2026/27 season, especially after Ariel Hookporti suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in his preseason debut. So the fact that LeBron James — has been out for a long time at center due to wear and tear — spent some time at the five in Philadelphia’s opener, a win over the defending champion Knicks should be one of the biggest takeaways from the opening day of the regular season, writes ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
How ESPN’s Dave McMenamin details Embiid, who picked up his third foul late in the first half, said after the game that it was his idea for James to replace him in the middle to end the second quarter.
“I brought it up to the guys, the coaching staff, because I just felt like they were picking up fouls, I just felt — and I was just being honest — I wasn’t going to be as aggressive as I should be defensively, having three fouls, wanting to stay on the floor.” Embiid said. “I just told them I thought we should do it.”
Although James may not become the head coach of Philadelphia Nick Nurse and the 76ers indicated Tuesday that they are willing to experiment with his role regardless of whether Embiid is on the floor. When the two players shared the court, James often defended the Knicks’ center Karl-Anthony Townsand Embiid handles Josh Hart destination
“(We discussed putting) four people on KAT because he has so many pick-and-rolls and (Jalen) Brunson which gives you some versatility to play some other coverages.” The nurse said. “I think it was good. … In the long run, I think it was very good for us.”
Here’s more on the Sixers, who won their first game of the season against the division rival Knicks:
- Embiid hasn’t been the best version of himself in recent years due to injuries, but he’s healthy to open the 2026-27 season and had three blocked shots in Tuesday’s regular season opener. The three-time second-team all-defensive player and 2018 defensive player of the year suggested he wants to return to his role as an elite defensive back, per ESPN’s Chris Rome. “I think the All-Defensive team will be back this year like last year,” Embiid said. “So I felt good, moved great. It seemed like I was everywhere, so I have to do that every game. … If I can play like that every night, which I’m going to do, it’s going to make all the difference.”
- A healthy return for Embiid and James Jaylen BrownThe Sixers’ regular season debut grabbed the headlines, but it was an NBA guard Tyrese Maxey who set the tone for the team, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required). Credited by Embiid for keeping Philadelphia afloat with a 16-point first half while other players struggled to make shots, Maxey finished with a team-high 28 points and matched Embiid’s three blocks.
- When asked during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (Link to YouTube) on James’ use of a corporate helicopter provided by Fanatics to travel from New York to Philadelphia, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said no problem as long as the team wasn’t involved in setting it up for him. “He has a deal with the fanatics” Silver said. “It’s perfectly fine if part of his deal is that they’re going to give him a helicopter, as long as it’s just a deal between Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved. There’s no problem with the rules.” There were some questions about the arrangement in part because of the CEO of Fanatics Mikhail Rubin was a minority owner of the Sixers, but Rubin sold his stake in the team four years ago.