What to know about LeBron James' preseason debut against the Knicks
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
LeBron James during 76ers Media Day. Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
The LeJawn era officially starts today.
Why it matters: Sixers fans will get their first peek at how much LeBron James has left in the tank when he makes his preseason debut, likely logging limited minutes against the defending-champion Knicks.
The big picture: Preseason games are virtually meaningless — but not in Philly this year, where fans will get an early look at how James gels with his new teammates on one of the Sixers' most talented rosters in decades.
- The Sixers — who have the fourth-best odds to win their first championship since 1983 — will play four preseason games, including two against rival Boston, on Oct. 10 and Oct. 16.
- The regular season begins Oct. 20, when the Sixers face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Driving the news: The Sixers haven't even stepped on the court, but they're already dominating the Knicks in one big way: demand for tickets on the secondary market.
- TickPick tells Axios it has sold 113% more tickets for Sixers games this season than for Knicks games.
By the numbers: Average Sixers ticket prices on TickPick have more than doubled, from $109 at the start of last season to $279 heading into the Sixers' regular-season opener.
- Overall, TickPick says it has sold 311% more Sixers tickets than at this point last season.
- StubHub told Axios that tickets for Monday's Knicks-Sixers game are fetching $150-$300.
Stunning stat: The cheapest ticket for the Knicks-Sixers season opener is going for $1,122 on TickPick, the company told Axios.
- Nearly two-thirds of StubHub buyers for Monday's game are from outside Pennsylvania.
Zoom in: Even though it doesn't count in the standings, there's never any love lost between the Sixers and Knicks. Remember last season's billboards?
- And James' recent admission that he once envisioned finishing his career as a Knick — plus his helicopter commutes to New York, where he has a house — adds another layer of intrigue to the rivalry.
Reality check: James has been a prolific scorer throughout his career, averaging roughly 27 points per game.
- At 41, James will likely settle into more of an "offensive creator" role, letting younger players like Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey shoulder more of the scoring load, per ESPN.
Yes, but: He's still the King — and one of the most dominant forces the league's ever seen, with a high-powered motor and a will to win to boot.
- In other words, don't expect James to take many off days.
What they're saying: Head coach Nick Nurse expects his starters, including James, to get some minutes in together against the Knicks — but there's no reason to risk injury by playing them extensively.
- "[W]e certainly want them to get out there and play," Nurse said.
The bottom line: To quote Brown: Now there's only one thing left to do — throw the ball up.