LeBron James was downgraded from day-to-day to out with a back issue and will miss the 76ers' game against the Bucks on Saturday night. The 76ers are 2-0 and take the floor without the 41-year-old forward, who has played in both games.
What happened
The injury report released at 1:14 p.m. ET on Saturday lists James as out with a back issue, also described as torso. He had been day-to-day with the same back and torso designation on Friday, Oct. 23. The report's comment line still reads that James is questionable for Saturday's game against the Bucks, which does not match the out status posted with it. The report lists an expected return of Oct. 25. No other timeline has been announced. Earlier this month he appeared on the report for rest.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia hosts Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, carrying a 2-0 record, the third seed and a two-game winning streak. James has averaged 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 33.6 minutes over two games this season. Last season he put up 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 games. The rotation points to Tyrese Maxey at 40.6 minutes, Jaylen Brown at 36.3, VJ Edgecombe at 34.0 and Joel Embiid at 33.9 as the heaviest workloads. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons are next at 25.5 and 21.0 minutes. The team is 2-0 with James and has not yet played without him. Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall are also out, and Dean Wade is day-to-day.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether James moves from out back to day-to-day or stays out. The report lists an expected return of Oct. 25, but it does not say which game that means, and the team has not announced a timeline. Watch his status ahead of the next game after the Bucks. Wade is day-to-day with an ankle issue, and the four other names on the report keep the rotation thin.
Is LeBron James playing vs the Bucks?
No. The injury report lists James as out for Saturday's 7:30 p.m. ET game against the Bucks with a back issue. The comment line on the report still says questionable, but the posted status is out.
When will LeBron James be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 25. No specific game or longer timeline has been announced.