76ers host Knicks with LeBron James in lineup, Brown sidelined

The Philadelphia 76ers will face the New York Knicks on Friday night with a revised starting lineup featuring LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Dean Wade. Jaylen Brown is ruled out due to a knee injury, opening the starting spot for Wade, who will make his third start in the team's last four games. The 76ers enter the matchup with a 4–1 record after winning their first four games of the 2026–27 season.

LeBron James, 41, comes into the contest after recording 13 points, five rebounds, and ten assists without a turnover in Philadelphia's 114–109 road victory over Indiana on Wednesday. His playmaking and leadership have been central to the 76ers' strong start, and he remains a key contributor despite being in his 23rd NBA season.

The Knicks, seeking to return to .500 after a slow opening stretch, face a critical road test in Philadelphia. New York defeated the 76ers in their season opener last week but has since steadied itself, including a 25-point comeback win over Chicago. The matchup carries playoff-caliber intensity, with betting odds roughly split between the two teams, listed as either 1.5-point favorites depending on the sportsbook. Tyrese Maxey, who scored 28 points in the teams' first meeting, will be a focal point for the Knicks' defensive scheme, though New York has gradually improved its execution as the season progresses.