76ers forward-center Dean Wade was downgraded from day-to-day to out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers with an ankle injury. He misses a second straight game, and Philadelphia's frontcourt is already short three players.
What happened
Dean Wade is out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers with an ankle injury. The 76ers moved him from day-to-day to out on the official injury report at 6:55 p.m. ET Thursday, five minutes before the scheduled tip. The report's note reads: "Wade (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers." His status has gone back and forth all week. He was first listed day-to-day with the ankle on Friday, Oct. 16. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, he was moved to out and then back to day-to-day. Thursday's update puts him out again.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia hosts the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN. The 76ers are 1-0 and the third seed, and they won their only game so far without Wade. Last season he averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes over 59 games. The frontcourt is thin. Dominick Barlow (back), Ariel Hukporti (Achilles) and Tacko Fall (quadriceps) are also out. In the win, Joel Embiid played 33.4 minutes, LeBron James played 33.8 and Adem Bona added 9.6 off the bench. Tyrese Maxey led the team with 28 points in 39.6 minutes, and Jaylen Brown scored 19.
What to watch
The injury report lists an expected return of Saturday, Oct. 24. His status has changed four times since Oct. 16, so the next report will show whether that date holds. Also watch how much Embiid and Bona play behind him, with Barlow, Hukporti and Fall all out. Return dates for those three have not been announced. Wade has not played yet this season.
Is Dean Wade playing vs the Cavaliers on Thursday?
No. The official injury report lists him as out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers with an ankle injury.
When will Dean Wade be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Saturday, Oct. 24. His status has changed several times this week, so watch for the next report.