Bona doubtful, no Sixers starters on injury report for Cavs game

Bona doubtful, no Sixers starters on injury report for Cavs game  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers listed backup center Adem Bona as doubtful for their Friday night meeting with the Cavaliers.

Bona’s official listing on the team’s Thursday evening injury report was “cervical spine sprain.” 

He played one of his better games so far this season Wednesday in the 8-1 Sixers’ win over the Pistons, slamming in two second-quarter dunks and posting five points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist in 15 minutes. 

Bona headed back to the Sixers’ locker room with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters postgame that the 23-year-old big man had “neck soreness” after taking a hit. 

Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear) will remain out for the Sixers in Cleveland. The Sixers beat the 4-4 Cavs in dramatic fashion on Oct. 22, overcoming a 29-point deficit to win a wild home opener. If Bona were to miss Friday’s game, Jabari Walker would be the logical next name in line at center behind Joel Embiid.

Notably, the Sixers included no starters on their injury report.

Tyrese Maxey had an apparent late-game injury concern Wednesday night when he seemed to hurt his right hand on an intentional Detroit foul. 

Maxey stayed in despite apparent hand discomfort and went 4-for-4 at the line. pic.twitter.com/YszYE7wCqJ

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 5, 2026

However, Maxey told reporters postgame he would “be fine” and it looks like he’ll be good to go against the Cavs.