LeBron James questionable for Sixers’ first of a back-to-back vs Bucks

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: LeBron James #23 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

And now we get our first glimpse of how the Sixers will manage back-to-backs this season.

Philadelphia released their injury report ahead of their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday and they’ve listed LeBron James as questionable with back management. Joel Embiid was not listed at all, indicating those two will be staggered across the weekend. Embiid said after their home opener win that he was only going to play in one of them, and it’s safe to assume that will be the case for LeBron as well.

The Sixers should be able to dispense of the Bucks without James’ services. Milwaukee is playing on short rest themselves, having hosted the Chicago Bulls on Friday. How the Embiid-less Sixers fare against the size of the Detroit Pistons on Sunday will be a much harder challenge.

The rest of the injury report remains the same as it was for the first two games of the season. Dean Wade is again listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. He has yet to make his Sixers debut since rolling his left ankle in the team’s final preseason game. Dominick Barlow remains out, still over a week a way from his next evaluation, and Tacko Fall is out as well with his quad injury.

The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's game vs. Milwaukee:

LeBron James — back management — QUESTIONABLE

Dean Wade – ankle – QUESTIONABLE

Dominick Barlow – back – OUT

Tacko Fall – quad – OUT

This is the front end of a back-to-back.

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) October 23, 2026