LeBron James will miss Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, and it’s because the Philadelphia 76ers are managing his sciatica and lower back injury. This isn’t just a regular absence, folks, it’s a huge deal, especially when the Sixers are trying to keep their early-season momentum rolling.
Sciatica Sidelines The King Early
This Saturday matchup is the first half of a brutal back-to-back, with Philadelphia set to host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Losing LeBron, even for one game, is a tough pill to swallow when you’re going for a perfect start. The guy’s been putting in work already this season, averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in their wins against the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Those are solid numbers, making his absence a real hit to their firepower. Can the Sixers really push to 3-0 without him against a team like the Bucks? It’s gonna be a grind. Plus, it’s not like the injury report is getting any better, with forward Dean Wade still questionable for the game due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the first two.
They Knew It Was Coming, But Still…
It’s not entirely shocking that James is already dealing with back issues. Before the 2026-27 campaign even kicked off, we heard that he was getting “special attention” for his left foot and lower back because of past problems. Given his age, it makes sense that the Sixers have him on a maintenance plan. But for it to pop up this early in the season? That’s gotta be concerning. You want your stars on the court, not on the injury management list, especially when you’re trying to establish dominance early.
The Sixers are looking to improve to 3-0 when they tip off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. It’s going to be a real test of their depth and resilience without their superstar. After that, they have to turn around and play the Pistons on Sunday. Every win matters, even in October, and missing LeBron for a back-to-back right out of the gate could really challenge their early-season goals.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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