LeBron James listed questionable for Sixers-Bucks with back issue
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The gist
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James is questionable for the Oct. 24 game against Milwaukee with back/sciatica management.
The 41-year-old's status matters as the Sixers open a back-to-back at 2-0.
Background
LeBron James is a 41-year-old forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, in his 24th NBA season and wearing No. 23 after signing with Philadelphia as a free agent in the offseason. A sciatic nerve issue sidelined him for the early stretch of last season and appears to have flared up again, putting him on the injury report ahead of the Bucks game. He has played at least 33 minutes in both of the Sixers' wins to open the season.
How it unfolded
- Jul 27, 2026The Sixers made it official that LeBron James will wear No. 23.
- Oct 20, 2026James was set to make his regular season debut as a Sixer against the reigning champion New York Knicks on opening night at Madison Square Garden.
- Oct 22, 2026James was set to make his home debut at Xfinity Mobile Arena against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Oct 24, 2026James was listed as questionable for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks with back/sciatica management, the first leg of a back-to-back; the Sixers were 2-0.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Covers.com betting analyst C Jackson Cowart said James' appearance on the injury report carries some weight, given Joel Embiid said he'll miss one of two games this weekend.
- Fantasy
- FantasyPros noted that with the Sixers playing the first leg of a back-to-back, James could receive the night off, and if ruled out, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jabari Walker could see increased minutes.
Still unverified
James' status for the Oct. 24 Bucks game is listed as questionable; no final decision on whether he plays has been reported.