LeBron debuts for Sixers, Giannis leads Heat as five preseason games go final

LeBron James made his first preseason appearance for Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 18 points for Miami and AJ Dybantsa finished his Washington debut with four steals Thursday. Their teams supplied three very different results: Brooklyn beat the Sixers 114-108, the Heat closed strongly to defeat New Orleans 128-118, and the Wizards held off New York 111-109.

Boston's younger lineup beat Cleveland 124-113, while Atlanta recovered from a 19-point first-quarter deficit to win 123-116 in San Antonio. All five games were preseason exhibitions.

Brooklyn wins as Philadelphia unveils its starting five

James joined Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia's starting lineup. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes, making his only field-goal attempt and all eight free throws. Brown led Philadelphia with 18 points, while Maxey scored 14.

The Sixers led 58-56 at halftime, but Brooklyn outscored them 37-23 in the third quarter. Noah Clowney scored 10 of his 11 points in that period, and Nolan Traore's perimeter shooting helped the Nets build a 93-81 lead entering the fourth. James and Maxey did not play in the second half.

Julius Randle led Brooklyn with 14 points and six rebounds. Egor Demin added 13 points and five assists, and Traore and Keon Ellis scored 12 apiece. The Nets forced 21 turnovers and held on through Philadelphia's late rally to improve to 2-0 in preseason. Michael Porter Jr. and Day'Ron Sharpe were among Brooklyn's unavailable players.

Miami's reserves finish the job

Antetokounmpo made eight of 13 shots and added four rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes. Andrew Wiggins scored 13 points; Bam Adebayo finished with nine points, four rebounds and two assists.

The lead changed hands across the middle quarters. Miami scored 40 points in the second to lead 73-64 at halftime, then New Orleans answered with a 32-20 third quarter to go ahead 96-93. The Heat won the final period 35-22.

Tre Donaldson supplied 12 points off the bench, while Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Myron Gardner each scored 11. Gardner also had four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jordan Poole led New Orleans with 14 points on four-of-five shooting, including three three-pointers. The Pelicans spread minutes across their roster, with Zion Williamson playing 16 minutes and scoring eight points.

Dybantsa and Washington win at the Garden

Anthony Davis led the Wizards with 16 points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes. Trae Young added 15 points and four assists, making three three-pointers. Dybantsa scored 11 points in 23 minutes and recorded a game-high four steals in his preseason debut.

Washington trailed 84-81 entering the fourth but outscored the Knicks 30-25 to win. Justin Champagnie had 12 points, and Kyshawn George contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. A late Tyler Nickel three-pointer cut the lead to two before Bruce Brown missed New York's last shot.

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Landry Shamet each scored 13 for the Knicks. The result leaves New York 0-2 in preseason; its starting group played roughly 19 to 21 minutes each.

Garza's double-double leads Boston

Luka Garza scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots as the Celtics opened their exhibition schedule with a win. Devin Carter added 17 points, while Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh each scored 16. Boston made 17 three-pointers.

Cleveland cut Boston's nine-point halftime advantage to three entering the fourth. The Celtics then won the last period 25-17. Jaylon Tyson led the Cavaliers with 14 points on six-of-eight shooting; Cleveland's starters rested throughout the second half. Fear the Sword reported that James Harden missed the game with ankle soreness. Boston played without several regulars, including Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Paul George.

Flemings helps Atlanta recover in San Antonio

The Spurs led 39-20 after one quarter, but Atlanta scored 42 in the second and ultimately won the fourth 30-21. Kingston Flemings finished with 15 points, five assists and three steals, shooting six of eight from the field in 20 minutes.

CJ McCollum scored 14 points and made four three-pointers. Dyson Daniels added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists; Victor Wembanyama played 17 minutes and finished with nine points and six rebounds.

Sacramento's game against the Lakers was still underway when this report was filed. Its result will be added after the final is confirmed.