LeBron James scores career-low eight points in 119-96 defeat to Cleveland
The former MVP recorded six turnovers and ended a 396-game scoring streak in his first return since the Cavaliers' failed offseason pursuit.
By Fatima Saleh ·
LeBron James posted one of the lowest scoring totals of his career on Friday night, finishing with eight points in the Philadelphia 76ers' 119-96 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 41-year-old forward shot 3-for-12 from the field and committed six turnovers in the NBA Cup contest.
This performance snapped a 396-game streak in which James scored at least 10 points against the Cavaliers. The previous instance of him scoring fewer than 10 points in Cleveland occurred on Dec. 29, 2004, the day before his 20th birthday.
James had not played in Cleveland since the summer when the Cavaliers pursued him in free agency. He ultimately chose the Sixers over offers from Cleveland, the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Miami Heat. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said last month that the initial days after losing the deal felt depressing.
The crowd in Rocket Arena provided a warm reception, with many fans standing to cheer James louder than any other player on the court. James acknowledged the history of the venue, noting that the reception was easier to handle than the hostile environment he faced 16 years ago.
On Dec. 2, 2010, James returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat and was booed heavily by the local fans. He scored 38 points that night to lead his new team to a 118-90 victory. James stated that he has experienced both the best and worst receptions in his career, making the current atmosphere manageable.
Despite the positive crowd reaction, James struggled to find his offensive flow. He admitted he was not in a good rhythm and noted that the team looked disjointed on the offensive end. He cited his high turnover count as a major factor in his lack of productivity.
Joel Embiid, the 76ers' other former MVP, also had a poor night. He finished with six points on 0-for-9 shooting. This marked the second-worst shooting performance of his career, trailing only his 0-for-11 night against the Toronto Raptors six years ago.
James and Embiid became the third pair of former MVPs in NBA history to each score in single digits while shooting 25% or worse from the field in the same game.
The Sixers, who hold an 8-2 record through their first 10 games, will travel to Chicago on Sunday to face the Chicago Bulls. James indicated that while the team did not perform well in this specific game, he would accept the current record if told it was possible at the start of the season.
The loss ended the 76ers' recent winning trend in the NBA Cup group stage. The team will look to reset its offensive execution as it prepares for its next matchup in the Windy City.
