Amidst controversy between the NBA and China, the Philadelphia 76ers traveled to LJVM Coliseum to take on the Charlotte Hornets to open the preseason. As one of the few selected teams to play basketball in a connected relationship between the NBA and China, the Sixers defeated the Guangzhou Loong Lions, 144-86. It would be the first opportunity for Philadelphia fans to catch a glimpse of the starting five against a new opponent. The starters saw limited action, but Ben Simmons was able to flex a three-point shot from well behind the arc.
Taking those highlights into their first preseason game, Brett Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers had the opportunity to see what they had off the bench in a scenario where Joel Embiid wouldn’t play.