Dominick Barlow’s mysterious preseason absence for the Philadelphia 76ers finally has a full diagnosis, and it’s a gut punch: a lumbar spine bone stress response. The team announced Monday evening that imaging confirmed the issue for the 23-year-old, and they’ll reevaluate him in just two weeks. This isn’t just a generic back injury anymore, it’s a specific, gnarly one that’s going to keep a key rotation player sidelined right as the regular season kicks off.
Philly’s Depth Chart Takes a Brutal Hit Before Tip-Off
This isn’t just about Barlow, though his absence is a major blow. He was one of the Sixers’ more reliable role players last season, showing up in 71 games and putting up a solid 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per outing. That kind of consistent production from a depth piece is huge, and now it’s gone. But the real problem? Barlow’s injury is just the latest hit in an alarming pile-up for Philly. Tacko Fall is out with a quad injury, and Ariel Hukporti is done for the entire season with an Achilles. Plus, you’ve got Anfernee Simons (hamstring), Adem Bona (foot), and Dean Wade (ankle) all questionable for Tuesday’s season opener against the New York Knicks. That’s a serious list of guys who might not be there when the whistle blows.
No Help Coming: Sixers Handcuffed By The Cap
The only “good news” in all this chaos is that the starting unit seems to be healthy. Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe are all reportedly set to hit the floor as the starting five against the Knicks. But let’s be real: when you look past that starting five, the Sixers are in a seriously precarious position. These injuries are piling up, and to make matters worse, the team is handcuffed financially. They’re too close to their first-apron hard cap, meaning short of some unexpected trade, they can’t sign anyone other than an undrafted rookie free agent until early December. They’re depleted, and they can’t even call for backup. It’s the kind of early season problem that makes you wonder if they’ll even have enough bodies to fill out the bench.
The Sixers open their season on Tuesday against the New York Knicks, and they’ll do it incredibly short-handed. With Barlow out, and a host of other players questionable, it’s going to be a real test of this team’s mettle right from the jump. You’ve got to hope those starters can carry the load, because help from the outside just isn’t an option for a long time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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