LeBron James will miss Thursday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, leaving the Philadelphia 76ers with fewer ways to cover for Joel Embiid if their starting center also sits.
James was downgraded to out for low back/sciatica management, while Embiid remained questionable because of right foot plantar fascia injury management. Philadelphia also announced that backup center Adem Bona will need approximately another week before his next evaluation.
The combination matters beyond replacing James in the starting lineup. The Sixers have used him at center, and three other frontcourt players are already unavailable against Toronto.
Both James and Embiid participated in Thursday’s shootaround, but that did not settle their game status.
“I have no idea,” Embiid said when asked whether he expected to play.
The NBA’s afternoon injury report listed the following Philadelphia absences and uncertainty:
| Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | Out | Low back/sciatica management |
| Joel Embiid | Questionable | Right foot plantar fascia injury management |
| Adem Bona | Out | Cervical spine sprain |
| Dominick Barlow | Out | Low back stress reaction |
| Ariel Hukporti | Out | Right Achilles tendon rupture/tear |
Adem Bona’s absence extends beyond the Raptors game
Bona’s next checkpoint is a reevaluation in approximately one week, not a confirmed return date. That leaves coach Nick Nurse planning around an ongoing shortage behind Embiid rather than a single night without his backup.
Barlow took part in shootaround as he works his way back, but the Sixers have not provided a timetable for his return. His participation therefore does not give Philadelphia another available option Thursday.
The Sixers have already been relying on smaller lineups when Embiid rests. Nurse has largely kept two-way center Tacko Fall outside the rotation.
Dean Wade and Jabari Walker are alternatives, but an Embiid absence would require covering the entire game rather than just his usual rest periods.
LeBron had already addressed his role at center
James’ absence removes one of the ways Philadelphia has handled its shortage. In remarks published Oct. 27, he made clear that filling in at center was different from accepting it as a permanent assignment.
“I’m not here to have a sustainable role at the 5,” James said. “We have Joel Embiid on the team. I don’t see it being a sustainable role, but it’s a role that we know that we can tap into if we need it. I know I can play 1 through 5, offensively and defensively, if needed. But, sustainable role playing the 5, I don’t think that’s – if I were to say I was signed here to have a sustainable role at the 5, I don’t think any of us actually want that.”
He explained that he could play the position when needed, while emphasizing that the Sixers have Embiid. Thursday’s injury report takes that emergency option away, too.
Toronto is dealing with its own depleted lineup: Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard and Trayce Jackson-Davis are all out. For Philadelphia, the remaining question is whether Embiid can play and reduce how much Nurse must ask of the available frontcourt reserves.
