The Philadelphia 76ers will open their 2026 preseason against the New York Knicks on Monday night, but they'll do so without their biggest stars. LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and starting guard Tyrese Maxey have all been ruled out for the exhibition contest.
Headlining the list of absences are the team's two franchise cornerstones. James and Embiid, who are expected to be the focal point of Philadelphia's rivalry with New York this season, will get the night off. Tyrese Maxey joins them on the sidelines. The bench will also be short-handed, with Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, and Anfernee Simons all ruled out. This opens up significant minutes for other players looking to make an impression.
Not every key contributor is sitting out. Jaylen Brown, the major trade acquisition from the Boston Celtics, is scheduled to suit up for his first action in a 76ers uniform. Brown spent a decade in Boston, so the Knicks are very familiar with his game. But his role and fit alongside new teammates will be a primary storyline to watch. Second-year guard VJ Edgecombe is also expected to play after a strong rookie campaign. Early reports from camp suggest he's continued his development and could see an expanded role.
Another player to monitor is rookie Labaron Philon Jr. He enters the league as a relative unknown, especially to a Knicks team that knows the Sixers' core well. Philon could carve out a notable role if he performs well during the preseason. His performance on both the perimeter and in the paint will be scrutinized.
This matchup is a warm-up, but it sets the stage for what should be a heated Eastern Conference rivalry all season. The Knicks, defending NBA champions, return a core of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns. They've been ranked as having the league's top starting five on paper. The 76ers, meanwhile, are projected to start Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, James, and Embiid when healthy, a lineup considered among the most stacked in the league.
The 76ers enter this period looking to end their championship drought. They carry some positive momentum from the end of the last regular season, having won their last two games.
Preseason results are meaningless, but player evaluation is not. The absences of James, Embiid, and Maxey provide a critical opportunity for Coach Nick Nurse to test rotations and evaluate depth. How Brown integrates into the offensive sets, how Edgecombe handles increased responsibility, and whether a rookie like Philon can contribute are all questions that need answers before the real games begin. The team's performance in these tune-up games will help solidify the rotation for the regular season grind.
