The Preseason Is Over. Here's the Roster Philadelphia…

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 18

Philadelphia closed camp 1-3, losing 120-125 to the Celtics in the October 16 finale behind 27 points from Joel Embiid and 22 from Tyrese Maxey. Four roster spots turned over on October 18 — Dillon Jones, Taye Fields, Cris Carroll and Jameer Nelson Jr. all cut — with Tuesday's regular-season opener in New York now the only thing that counts.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Why did the Sixers cut four players in one day?

Philadelphia trimmed the roster on October 18, releasing Dillon Jones, who was making $2.4 million this season, along with Taye Fields, Cris Carroll and Jameer Nelson Jr. All four were camp bodies, not rotation pieces. The timing is standard: teams finalize their regular-season count right after the last preseason game, and Tuesday's season opener in New York forced the decision.

What went wrong in the preseason finale against Boston?

Philadelphia lost 120-125 to the Celtics on October 16, a game with seven lead changes and six ties that stayed live into the final minutes. Embiid scored 27 on 7-of-13 shooting and Maxey added 22, but the bench managed only 36 points against Boston's reserve scoring, led by Hugo Gonzalez's 21 and Ron Harper Jr.'s 16. That gap decided it.

How did Jaylen Brown's first look at his old team go?

Brown made his first appearance against Boston as a Sixer, scoring 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting with eight rebounds in the finale. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Gina Mizell reported he had already traveled to Boston as a Sixer once this preseason, on October 10, without playing, ahead of this game against his former team.

What's the injury list look like heading into the opener?

Ariel Hukporti is out with a right Achilles injury dating to October 6, no update since. Adem Bona has carried a foot issue since September 17. Anfernee Simons' hamstring tag was sharpened on October 12 and hasn't cleared. Dean Wade picked up a new ankle issue on October 16. Tacko Fall, moved to a two-way deal on October 17, still has an unresolved hip tag from October 1.

Does the $213.2 million payroll change what the Sixers can do this year?

Philadelphia opens the season at $213.2 million, past the $209.0 million first-apron line and the $200.4 million luxury tax threshold. That restricts in-season trade tools and limits signings beyond the minimum. The front office still controls its own 2027 and 2030 first-round picks, so the books aren't locked for good, but any move this year has to clear the apron math first.

The verdictFour roster cuts and a third preseason loss don't change the math: this team is built around Embiid, Maxey and two new scorers, and it tips off for real October 20 at Madison Square Garden.

Did the 76ers win or lose their preseason finale against the Celtics?

They lost 120-125 to Boston on October 16, finishing the preseason 1-3.

Is Joel Embiid healthy for the regular-season opener?

Embiid was cleared off the injury report on October 16 and scored 27 points in the finale; he is not on the current injury list.

By the 76ers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.