Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starters vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Photo by Amit Lahav on Unsplash
The 76ers confirmed their starting five for Thursday’s home opener against the Cavaliers: LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The lineup made its regular‑season debut on Oct. 20, beating the defending champion Knicks 106‑100, and will face a Cavaliers squad that swept them in all four meetings last season.
James is set for his first regular‑season home game in a Sixers uniform, while Brown will also debut at Wells Fargo Center. The five‑man group has already shown promise, with Maxey scoring 28 points and Brown adding 19, eight rebounds and six assists in the Knicks win. Embiid posted 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
The team will be without forward Dean Wade, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Wade’s absence, combined with injuries to Dominick Barlow and Ariel Hukporti, leaves head coach Nick Nurse with limited options to spell Embiid or field a larger defensive line. Jabari Walker and Justin Edwards may see increased minutes while Wade remains sidelined.
Cleveland enters the game with a formidable core that includes Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and last season finished 52‑30. The Cavaliers’ size and front‑court talent will test the Sixers’ rotation and depth.
The matchup, scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena, will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Source: Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starters vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
