The Sixers are off to a hot start, but their biggest star wants to pump the brakes. After a statement win in Detroit, the veteran star urged patience.
LeBron James said it is too early to talk about the NBA Finals, despite the Philadelphia 76ers’ hot start, after a 112 to 106 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, improved the team to eight wins and one loss.
What did LeBron James say about the hot start?
James said it was too early on Nov. 4 to be talking about the Finals and that the team would keep buying into its approach. He said the players like each other and enjoy being around one another.
He said the best teams he has played on stayed consistent all season, tried to improve every day and held each other accountable. He said he sees some of that in this group.
The Sixers coach agreed, saying he would not read anything long term into the record this early. He said the goal is to stretch out the good stretches of play and limit the bad ones.
What does a hot start usually mean for James?
History suggests a hot start is a good sign. When James’ teams have started seven wins and one loss in past seasons, they have reached the Finals, including the 2011 to 2012 Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017 and the 2019 to 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.
Three of those teams won the championship. The 2016 title in Cleveland ended the city’s long championship drought.
The Sixers are also off to their first start of four straight road wins since the 2000 to 2001 season, the last time they reached the Finals. In the past 50 seasons, every previous Sixers team to open with at least four road wins went on to the Finals. That team was led by Allen Iverson, who won the MVP award that season.
Who led the Sixers against Detroit?
Jaylen Brown, a key part of the hot start, had one of his best games with the Sixers, scoring a season high 30 points and making a block on Cade Cunningham that saved the game. Joel Embiid added 26 points and 15 rebounds.
James finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. The win avenged the Sixers’ only loss of the season, which also came against Detroit. In that earlier loss, James started at center with Embiid sidelined.
Are any Sixers hurt?
Guard Tyrese Maxey hurt his right pinkie in the final seconds while trying to split a double team. A trainer looked at his swollen finger in the locker room, but Maxey said he would be fine, joking that his finger has looked that way since last season. He did not appear to be seriously concerned.
Center Adem Bona left in the fourth quarter with a neck injury. The coach said Bona appeared to be OK and that an update would come Thursday. Bona has played key minutes in the frontcourt this season.
What is next after the hot start?
The Sixers play the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Friday, a homecoming for James, who began his career there and led the city to a championship in 2016. It will be one of the most anticipated games of the early season.
James said the team knows it has a long way to go. But with a hot start, contributions from several stars and a growing sense of chemistry, Philadelphia has given its fans plenty to be excited about. The next few weeks will show whether the Sixers can sustain it.
