Oct 23·Sports
Follow-up 3h ago4
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LeBron James Ruled Out for 76ers vs. Bucks; Embiid to Sit One Weekend Game
The Philadelphia 76ers have ruled out LeBron James for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to lower-back and sciatica management, marking his first absence since joining the team. The decision comes as the 76ers manage player workload during their first back-to-back of the season, with Joel Embiid also expected to sit out one of the two weekend games.
Quick Facts
- LeBron James ruled out for Saturday game
- First absence since joining 76ers
- Back-to-back games against Bucks (Saturday) and Pistons (Sunday)
- Embiid to sit one of two weekend games
- Caldwell-Pope to start in James' place
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The Philadelphia 76ers have ruled out LeBron James for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to management of a lower-back and sciatica issue. The 41-year-old forward's absence marks his first since joining the team and comes as the Sixers begin their first back-to-back of the season, with a Sunday home game against the Detroit Pistons to follow. James' status for Sunday remains uncertain.
The decision reflects the team's plan to manage the workload of key players over a demanding schedule. Head coach Nick Nurse will start Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in James' place. Joel Embiid, who logged 34 minutes and 24 points in Thursday's win over Cleveland, has indicated he will play only one of the two weekend games, though which one remains undetermined. After two games, James is averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
The 76ers enter Saturday undefeated at 2-0 following a 29-point comeback victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday—the largest comeback in franchise history during the play-by-play era and the biggest of James' career. Tyrese Maxey led that effort with 32 points. The team also defeated the defending-champion New York Knicks in its season opener. James has sciatica history, having missed the first 14 games of last season with the same condition.
Milwaukee arrives seeking its first win after opening losses to Washington and Chicago. The Bucks also play the second night of a back-to-back, adding to the physical demands on both rosters. Additional 76ers unavailable include Dean Wade (left ankle sprain, questionable), Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction), Tacko Fall (left quadriceps strain), and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear).
Topics
Why This Matters
The 76ers begin their first back-to-back of the season without two of their three stars. James' absence marks the first since his mid-season trade acquisition; Embiid's partial rest affects both games' roster strength. Milwaukee (0-2) faces Philadelphia (2-0) under elevated injury risk. The team's workload management strategy will directly shape playoff depth if injuries accumulate; James' sciatica recurrence mirrors a 14-game absence last season. The 76ers' 29-point comeback—largest in franchise history—faces disruption from absences and potential rotation adjustments through Sunday.
Timeline & Sources
Oct 23, 2026
Wire76ers defeat Cavaliers 114-106 with 29-point comeback; James has 17 points, 10 rebounds; Embiid has 24 points in 34 minutes; Maxey leads with 32 points
Oct 23, 2026
Wire76ers release injury report: James listed as questionable with low back/sciatica management; Wade questionable with left ankle sprain
Oct 24, 2026
WireLeBron James officially ruled out for Saturday's game vs. Bucks
Oct 25, 2026
Wire76ers face Milwaukee Bucks (Saturday) without James; Caldwell-Pope to start
Oct 26, 2026
Wire76ers face Detroit Pistons (Sunday); James' availability uncertain; Embiid expected to sit this game or Bucks game
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Sources
- Sixers list James and Wade as questionable for 1st leg of back-to-backNBC Sports PhiladelphiaMediaOct 23, 2026
- 76ers' LeBron James to sit vs. Bucks in first game of back-to-backESPNMediaOct 24, 2026
- LeBron James (back) ruled out SaturdayFantasyProsMediaOct 24, 2026
- LeBron James’ status puts the 76ers’ perfect start in question before Bucks showdownMARCAMediaOct 24, 2026