LeBron James Makes 76ers Home Debut in Preseason Overtime Loss to Celtics

LeBron James recorded eight points and eight rebounds in his first home game for the Philadelphia 76ers, a 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 125-120 in an overtime preseason finale on Friday night. In his first game at Philadelphia since signing a two-year league-minimum contract in July, 41-year-old LeBron James finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown, who joined the 76ers via trade this offseason, led the team with 20 points against his former club.

A sellout crowd of 19,746 fans witnessed James connect with Tyrese Maxey for a two-handed alley-oop dunk following a half-court lob. James, entering his NBA-record 24th season, previously debuted for the team in Brooklyn last week, where he posted 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds in the first half. While James and the majority of the 76ers starters played on Friday, VJ Edgecombe did not suit up.

Public address announcer Matt Cord introduced James as the starter from St. Vincent-St. Mary's wearing No. 23, though Joel Embiid received the final introduction of the night. Prior to the game, James participated in a public scrimmage that attracted 10,000 spectators. Off the court, the veteran forward has utilized a helicopter to travel from the team's New Jersey practice facility to New York.

Philadelphia opens the regular season on Tuesday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The team will then return to Philadelphia for their home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.