CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) — The Philadelphia 76ers opened training camp Tuesday with their first practice of the 2026-27 season, bringing together the team’s new starting lineup for drills as anticipation builds around the upcoming campaign.

Expectations are high for the Sixers entering the season, but coach Nick Nurse said the focus remains on daily improvement and maximizing the team’s potential.

“We need to come back and we need to keep climbing that mountain. That’s a daily process. I just want them to reach their potential. If they do, great things are going to happen,” Nurse said.

The practice also marked the first time LeBron James and the rest of the roster worked together as a unit at the team’s facility in Camden.

Asked about the experience of coaching James rather than competing against him, Nurse said his impression of the veteran star remains unchanged.

“To me it looked the same as it looked coaching against him. When you’re out there and looking, you say this guy is really tough, really good. Like, that’s what it looked like to me. Glad he’s on our team,” Nurse said.

Second-year guard VJ Edgecombe said sharing the court with James is a unique opportunity, but one that quickly becomes secondary once the team begins working.

“That’s my teammate. My brother. That’s who I’m going to war with for the rest of the year. Reading between the lines, all that starstruck stuff, that goes out the window,” Edgecombe said.

As camp continues, the Sixers say their primary goal is to establish a team identity and remain committed to it throughout the season.

Nurse said that emphasis on team play does not diminish the value of individual talent across the roster.

“I’d really rather emphasize being who you are. Right? But maybe we need you to do something super-special for our team at this moment, and you have the ability to do that, then let’s do it,” Nurse said.

Training camp runs through Oct. 2.

The Sixers’ first preseason game is scheduled for next week at home against the reigning champion New York Knicks.

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