Joel Embiid made an interesting suggestion about LeBron James – and it worked

NEW YORK — Late in the night, there was a moment of honesty – vulnerability? – from Joel Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers locker room had all but cleared out, and Embiid was the last player fielding questions from an atypically large horde of reporters. With a 106-100 victory, the Sixers had just wrecked the coronation of the New York Knicks, who raised a banner here in Madison Square Garden for the first time in 53 years and who, prior to tipoff, had wedged championship rings the size of golf balls onto their fingers.

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There were plenty of reasons why the 76ers won their regular season opener Tuesday, Oct. 20. But it was a small, in-game proposal from Embiid that proves the experiment that is the 76ers might just work.

Late in the second quarter, Embiid had picked up his third foul, which came during a four-minute span late in the period. So, at some point over halftime, Embiid told the 76ers coaches that it should be the newly-acquired LeBron James to guard Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, a six-time All-Star.

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LeBron James makes debut for the Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2026 in New York City. The NBA picked the right game to headline an opening night slate with the New York Knicks welcoming the Philadelphia 76ers to Madison Square Garden.LeBron James begins a new era as he suits up for a Sixers squad with high aspirations. Leaving behind Hollywood for the bright lights of Philadelphia also means a great big spotlight on championship expectations. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images)

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LeBron James makes debut for the Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2026 in New York City. The NBA picked the right game to headline an opening night slate with the New York Knicks welcoming the Philadelphia 76ers to Madison Square Garden.LeBron James begins a new era as he suits up for a Sixers squad with high aspirations. Leaving behind…


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Publish date : 2026-10-21 13:51:00

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