LeBron James launches his record 24th NBA campaign on Tuesday at age 41 with the Philadelphia 76ers, chasing a fifth career title. The Sixers open the league's 81st season at New York, where the Knicks will raise their first championship banner since 1973.
James announced his move to Philadelphia on July 24, framing the decision as a final title run. "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," he wrote on X. Two days later the team confirmed he had signed a two-year deal worth $8 million.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer had revealed in June that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his fourth title. A four-time MVP, James previously won championships with Miami, hometown club Cleveland and the Lakers. With Philadelphia, he could become the first player to win NBA titles with four or more different franchises.
James said his new teammates share his title ambitions, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and former Boston star Jaylen Brown, all seeking a first NBA crown. He has career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals over 1,622 games.
James recorded 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in a 114-108 pre-season loss at Brooklyn and warned that cohesion would not arrive instantly. "If you want to do something special, it takes time, every single day doing things you may not want to do," he said. "I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round I know that for sure."
