What happened: James hit the go-ahead 3-pointer and made the late steal that closed the Dec. 7 victory in Philadelphia. He played 34 minutes in his final road appearance against the 76ers before joining them.

Why it matters: The performance carries new relevance after James joined Philadelphia for the 2026-27 season. His late-game creation offers a recent reference point for his role with the 76ers.

What to watch: Philadelphia's 2026-27 opener will provide the first test of how often James controls the offense in closing minutes.