James, Embiid, and Maxey Sat Out Preseason Opener
The Philadelphia 76ers rested three of their star players during Monday night's game against the New York Knicks.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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Should NBA teams prioritize resting star players during preseason games for their local fans?
LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey were listed as healthy inactives for the Philadelphia 76ers preseason opener on Monday night. Their absence allowed other players, including Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe, to start in the lineup.
Why it matters
The decision to rest key stars during the preseason is a standard approach to managing veteran workloads and integrating new roster additions. This allows the coaching staff to evaluate depth pieces and experimental lineups while keeping core contributors healthy for the regular season.
The Philadelphia 76ers finished the previous season with a 45-37 record. LeBron James brings significant experience to the roster, holding 22 All-Star selections, 21 All-NBA honors, and four league MVP awards.
The players
LeBron James
He is an NBA superstar who signed a free-agent deal with the 76ers during the summer.
Joel Embiid
He is a centerpiece of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise who was held out of the preseason opener.
Tyrese Maxey
He is a key guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who sat out Monday night's game.
Jaylen Brown
He is an active player who started in the lineup for the 76ers during the preseason opener.
VJ Edgecombe
He is a player who featured in the starting lineup for Philadelphia during the preseason game.
The details
The 76ers opted to keep their primary stars off the court despite their recent participation in a public scrimmage. James, who signed as a free agent during the summer, joined Embiid and Maxey on the bench for the contest against the New York Knicks, who knocked Philadelphia out of the previous playoffs.
Timeline
Saturday: The team held a public scrimmage.
Monday night: The preseason opener against the Knicks took place.
Season Trajectory
This preseason matchup serves as a starting point for the 76ers to integrate high-profile offseason acquisitions like LeBron James. The team aims to build upon their 45-37 record from last season and move past the playoff exit orchestrated by the Knicks.
The absence of the team's top three stars resulted in elevated playing time for reserve players like VJ Edgecombe. Readers tracking the team should monitor how these rotation adjustments impact the depth chart throughout the remainder of the preseason schedule.
The takeaway
Management of star player minutes during preseason games remains a balancing act between team cohesion and long-term health. Fans should expect fluid lineups in the coming weeks as coaches prioritize regular-season readiness over game outcomes.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Philadelphia Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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Should NBA teams prioritize resting star players during preseason games for their local fans?
