LeBron James wasted no time reminding everyone he can still rise above the rim.
Less than two minutes into the Philadelphia 76ers’ Monday night matchup with the Chicago Bulls, James took off in transition and finished with a double-pump jam to give the 76ers their first field goal of the game. It was the kind of burst that still turns heads, even with James closing in on 42 years old in a little less than two months.
The play fit the larger picture of where James is right now. He’s not carrying the same scoring burden he once did, and the 41-year-old has been leaning more heavily on teammates Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown to handle that side of the offense. Entering Monday, James was averaging 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, with his scoring average sitting at a career low.
His shooting numbers have been unusually rough, too. James has been at 45/26/63 from the field, from three, and from the line, a line that looks out of place for the greatest scorer in NBA history.
LeBron James THROWS IT DOWN to start the game 😤 pic.twitter.com/l5R9a2uW1o
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 3, 2026
Even so, the 76ers have gotten plenty from him in ways that don’t show up first on a box score. His leadership has helped give the team a late-game toughness it lacked in previous seasons, and he’s also been impactful defensively, with his lighter offensive workload seemingly allowing him to stay even more engaged on that end.
And when the moment calls for it, James can still reach back and pull out something explosive. Monday’s early throwdown was proof of that.
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Nick Nurse Addressed Joel Embiids Late Exit Against The Bulls
Joel Embiids night against the Bulls ended early, but the bigger takeaway for the 76ers was the same one that has hovered over him since the foot issue surfaced: keeping him on the floor long enough to help, without pushing too far. Philadelphia handled Chicago 126-107, and Embiid logged 25 minutes before the team shut him down for the rest of the game as part of a minutes restriction. Tyrese Maxey picked up plenty of the offensive slack, finishing with 26 points and 11 assists in a win that looked comfortable long before the final buzzer.
After the game, Nick Nurse said Embiid was okay and made clear the late exit was a team decision tied to managing the injury. For the Sixers, that kind of night has become part of the larger balancing act, where the result matters but so does the long view with Embiid. The encouraging part is that Philadelphia still had enough firepower to control the game even with its centerpiece on a shortened leash, but the real question remains how the team handles that workload going forward. [Read more 🡒]
76ers Could Have A Veteran Answer To Their Backup Center Problem
The 76ers have been searching for ways to shore up their backup center spot, and Brook Lopez has emerged as a name worth watching. The veteran big man is reportedly a potential buyout candidate from the Clippers, a development that could put him on the market if Los Angeles decides to move on amid its struggles and his contract situation.
For Philadelphia, the appeal is obvious. Lopez brings experience and floor spacing, two traits that can help stabilize a second unit that has been viewed as a weakness, and the 76ers could explore adding him if he becomes available. Nothing is settled yet, but his fit is the kind of practical roster solution teams often circle once the buyout market opens. [Read more 🡒]
LeBrons Viral Moment At Sixers Game Is Already Sparking Debate
LeBron James turned a routine courtside moment into one of the nights biggest talking points during the 76ers home game against the Bulls, when he accidentally bumped a fan behind the basket and spilled the drink in the process. He then took a sip from the fans cup, and the whole sequence quickly spread well beyond the arena, with the drink reportedly being wine.
The reaction was immediate and split right down the middle, with some fans and commentators criticizing the move and others brushing it off as harmless. For the Sixers, it was the kind of viral detour that can follow a big-game atmosphere, even when the basketball itself is supposed to be the main event. [Read more 🡒]