Dean Wade moved from out to day-to-day on the injury report early Friday with a left ankle injury. That gives the 76ers forward a chance to make his season debut Saturday against the Bucks.
What happened
The injury report changed Dean Wade's status to day-to-day at 1:38 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 23. He had been out. The injury is to his left ankle. The report's comment says Wade was out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers. It lists an expected return date of Oct. 24. His status has moved back and forth all month. He was first listed day-to-day on Oct. 16. He went to out and back to day-to-day on Oct. 20, then to out again on Oct. 22.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia hosts the Bucks on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV. The 76ers are 2-0, have won two straight and hold the top seed. They have not had Wade yet this season and are 2-0 without him. Last season the 29-year-old forward-center averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes over 59 games. Without him, Joel Embiid has played 33.9 minutes and LeBron James 33.6. Adem Bona has added 11.6 minutes in the frontcourt. Depth up front is thin. Dominick Barlow (back) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles) are out, and Tacko Fall is day-to-day with a left quadriceps injury.
What to watch
The next injury report before Saturday's tip will show whether Wade is cleared for the Bucks. The report has Oct. 24 as his expected return date, which is the day of that game. His status has changed four times in a week, so the day-to-day tag is not a guarantee. If he plays, watch how many minutes he gets and whether he takes frontcourt minutes from Bona with Barlow and Hukporti out.
Is Dean Wade playing vs Bucks on Saturday?
He is day-to-day with a left ankle injury, and Oct. 24 is listed as his expected return date. A final decision for Saturday's game against the Bucks has not been announced.
When will Dean Wade be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 24 as his expected return date. That is the day Philadelphia hosts the Bucks at 7:30 p.m. ET.