LeBron James and Joel Embiid were among the healthy inactives for the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason opener Monday night against the NBA champion New York Knicks.
All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey also sat out. Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe were the lone regular starters in the lineup.
Brown, who was acquired by Philadelphia in a trade for Paul George, only played in the first half and led the 76ers’ 120-97 win with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Edgecombe added 12 points and seven assists. The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Knicks.
James signed a free-agent deal with the Sixers over the summer. He is a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star Game MVP and a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
James, Embiid and the full healthy roster played in a public scrimmage on Saturday on the 76ers’ home court.