Sixers coach Nick Nurse opens fourth Philadelphia season with LeBron-led roster
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The gist
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse begins his fourth Philadelphia season Tuesday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
He now coaches LeBron James, who joined in July after a call with Nurse.
Background
Nick Nurse is the Philadelphia 76ers head coach, a former Toronto Raptors coach who won an NBA title in 2019 and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2020. He arrived in Philadelphia three years ago, replacing Doc Rivers, hired by president of basketball operations Daryl Morey to turn around a franchise that has employed 17 head coaches since last winning a championship in 1983. This offseason LeBron James, the 41-year-old star, signed with Philadelphia in July 2026 to try to lead the Sixers to their first title in 44 years, giving Nurse a roster built around James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2024Nurse bought Carroll National Golf Club in west-central Iowa.
- Jul 2026 (first week)Alone at the club after a charity tournament honoring his late brother Steve, Nurse took a call from LeBron James, who asked about offensive and defensive roles, team schemes and how he might fit.
- Jul 24, 2026On Nurse's 59th birthday, James announced he would sign with Philadelphia, joining Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid.
- Oct 14, 2026Nurse assessed Tyrese Maxey's off-ball reps in the preseason, with the Sixers set to host the Boston Celtics in the preseason finale before opening against the Knicks.
- Oct 18, 2026Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow, Tacko Fall and Ariel Hukporti all missed practice in Camden, N.J.; Wade was pulled from the preseason finale at halftime as a precaution over an ankle issue.
- Oct 19, 2026Nurse said there was "Nothing to manage, yet" regarding his stars and that he would not know about Wade until Tuesday.
- Oct 20, 2026Sixers open the season against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden as Nurse begins his fourth season in Philadelphia.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Nurse said the guys are working extremely hard and showing leadership, and that he is serious about getting better.
- Caution
- Nurse said it is hard to know what to expect until the opener, since the preseason reveals little, though he feels great that Embiid is ready to go.
- Analysts
- An Inquirer opinion piece argued Nurse can thrive coaching LeBron James and the Sixers.
Still unverified
What exactly Nurse told LeBron James on the July call is uncertain; Nurse said it seems like it ultimately helped and "at minimum, it didn't hurt." Whether James has an eighth coach in 14 seasons will depend on how Nurse manages the roster, and Dean Wade's status for the opener remains to be seen.