What happened: Philadelphia started its 2025-26 preseason in South Philly with a retooled rotation around Joel Embiid. James and Brown took the floor together as teammates for the first time in 76ers uniforms.

Why it matters: Philadelphia is reshaping its core around two veteran wings and its cornerstone center. Early preseason reps offer a first look at spacing, usage and defensive assignments. Eastern Conference positioning hinges on how quickly the trio integrates.

What to watch: Philadelphia continues preseason with further lineup experimentation expected. Health and closing combinations remain the early focus.