Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is day-to-day with a right finger injury, an injury-report listing tied to his agreement to a buyout with the Grizzlies and plans to sign a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the 76ers. The move sets up a potential backcourt addition for Philadelphia before its 2026-27 season opener.
What happened
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope appeared on the injury report for the first time this cycle, listed day-to-day with a finger injury to his right arm as of Sunday, Sep. 6 at 4:32 a.m. ET. He had no previous status on record. The listing reflects a transaction, not a new ailment: Caldwell-Pope agreed to a buyout with the Grizzlies on Saturday and plans to sign a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the 76ers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia opens its 2026-27 season at home against the Knicks on Monday, Oct. 5. The 76ers are 0-0 with the season not yet underway. In 51 games last season, he averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. In the backcourt rotation, Tyrese Maxey (38.0 minutes, 28.3 points) and VJ Edgecombe (35.0 minutes, 16.0 points) have logged the most run without him, with Quentin Grimes also seeing 29.4 minutes. The 76ers have no record to gauge his impact with or without him yet, since the 2026-27 season has not started.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Caldwell-Pope's status changes before the season opener. His expected return is listed as Oct. 1, four days ahead of Philadelphia's Oct. 5 opener against the Knicks. That timeline would clear him before the finger issue affects his season debut, though a formal signing with the 76ers has not been finalized beyond the reported agreement.
Is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope playing vs Knicks?
His status for the 76ers' Oct. 5 opener against the Knicks has not been confirmed. He is day-to-day with a right finger injury, and his expected return is listed as Oct. 1, four days before that game.
When will Kentavious Caldwell-Pope be back?
His expected return is listed as Oct. 1, 2026, according to the official injury report.