Joel Embiid’s preseason debut came with a brief scare Thursday night, but the 76ers dodged the kind of moment that can make a fan base hold its breath.
Philadelphia was visiting the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center when Embiid got tangled up in the first quarter after Mo Wagner shoved him during a box-out. As Embiid went down, Jaylen Brown made contact with him. For a second, it looked ugly.
It passed quickly. Embiid and Brown both got back up, shook it off, and stayed in the game.
That was the relief for the 76ers, because losing either star would be a huge problem. Embiid, 32, has had a tough time staying on the floor, and Philadelphia has felt that impact. Last season, he appeared in 38 games, his second-fewest in nine years, while averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
Brown has been the steadier body of the two. The 30-year-old played 71 games last season and put up career bests across the board with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
If the Sixers can keep that kind of talent healthy, they look like a major problem in the Eastern Conference. Their goal is to get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001.
By the third quarter, though, Philadelphia was still trailing Brooklyn.
Embiid had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 24 minutes, along with 8 turnovers. Brown had 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 minutes.
Scary collision between Embiid and Brown 😳
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 9, 2026
Both were able to shake it off and stay in the game. pic.twitter.com/1Mfw5fs4Vv
LeBron James also made his preseason debut for Philadelphia and posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal in 18 minutes.
James recently denied the report that he berated Embiid for being late for practice.
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