LeBron James has returned to the Eastern Conference with his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, July 24.
James spent the first 15 years of his career in the Eastern Conference, before spending the last eight years in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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While playing in the Eastern Conference, James created several key rivals, including the Boston Celtics.
James could make his debut in a 76ers uniform against the Celtics, with Philadelphia having a pair of preseason games scheduled against Boston.
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The 76ers will play a preseason game in Boston against the Celtics on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Celtics will travel to Philadelphia for a game on Friday, Oct. 16.
James’ status for the games at this point remains uncertain and it’s worth nothing the games against the Celtics are the Sixers’ only scheduled preseason contests at present. The Lakers have five preseason games on their docket, for point of comparison, so it’s possible more Sixers preseason games could come into focus later this summer.
James did not participate in preseason games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season but did play games in 2024 alongside his son Bronny James.
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The NBA’s short preseason means there are limited opportunities for new players like James and Jaylen Brown to get familiar with teammates Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a live game setting. If James does not play in the preseason, he will presumably make his Sixers debut in the regular season opener. An opponent and date for the 76ers’ first game have not been announced.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philadelphia 76ers schedule: When might LeBron James make Sixers debut?
