LeBron James remains day-to-day after Friday's 76ers injury report, with Tony Jones of The Athletic adding that the 41-year-old forward won't be available for Saturday's preseason game against the Celtics for rest. Philadelphia will play its preseason matchup against Boston without him.
What happened
James is listed as day-to-day on Philadelphia's Friday, Oct. 16 injury report at 5:29 p.m. ET, the same status he carried into the report. Tony Jones of The Athletic reports that James won't be available for Saturday's preseason contest against the Celtics due to rest. It is the latest entry in a pattern this preseason: James was day-to-day for rest on Oct. 5, cleared from day-to-day on Oct. 8, then day-to-day for rest again on Oct. 10. No further detail on the issue is announced, and no expected return date has been given.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia's next game is against the Celtics on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Last season James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 33.2 minutes across 60 games, production the 76ers won't have available. In the minutes he has missed, Tyrese Maxey has logged 38.0 minutes and 28.3 points, VJ Edgecombe 35.0 minutes and 16.0 points, Joel Embiid 31.6 minutes and 26.9 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. 31.5 minutes and 14.1 points, and Paul George 30.7 minutes and 17.3 points. The 76ers are 0-0, since the 2026-27 regular season has not started, so there is no with-or-without-James record yet.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether James's rest designation clears before Philadelphia's following game or carries over, as it has through this preseason's rest-day cycle. No expected return date is announced. Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Adem Bona and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are also listed day-to-day on the same report, and Ariel Hukporti is out, so Philadelphia's health across its roster bears watching as the preseason finishes and the regular season nears.
Is LeBron James playing vs the Celtics?
No. Tony Jones of The Athletic reports James won't be available for Saturday's preseason game against the Celtics, listed for rest. Philadelphia's injury report has him day-to-day.
When will LeBron James be back?
No expected return date has been announced. His status has fluctuated between day-to-day and cleared through this preseason: day-to-day on Oct. 5, cleared on Oct. 8, day-to-day again on Oct. 10, and day-to-day again on Oct. 16.