Bona and Caldwell-Pope's Return Date Is Today. Believe It…

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 1

Adem Bona (foot, leg) and Caldwell-Pope (finger, arm) each carry an estimated return of October 1 on the injury report, with no word yet on whether either actually played. Four preseason games remain before the October 20 opener at the Knicks, starting October 5 at home against New York.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Are Bona and Caldwell-Pope actually playing today?

Both are tagged with an estimated return of October 1: Bona for a foot and leg issue, Caldwell-Pope for a finger and arm problem on his right side. Neither has been ruled out, but an estimated date is not a confirmed one, and camp has given no update beyond the tag itself.

What's left on the preseason schedule?

Four games before the lights come on for real: October 5 at home against the Knicks on NBA TV, October 8 at the Nets, October 10 at the Celtics on NBA TV, and October 16 at home against Boston again. The regular season opens October 20 at the Knicks on NBC/Peacock.

Who actually left this roster last month?

Kyle Lowry, MarJon Beauchamp, and Tyrese Martin were all off the roster by September 21 — all three on the same day — thinning the guard and wing depth behind Maxey, Brown, and Caldwell-Pope. No replacement signing has been logged since, which leaves camp bodies like Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert carrying more of that load than planned.

Is there a number that actually matters here?

$213.2 million is still the number hanging over this camp — the payroll total, above the first apron, with the tax line at $200.4 million. That bill is why Bob Myers has stayed quiet on a guard signing even as the depth chart thins behind Maxey and Brown.

What's happening at camp that isn't an injury report?

Maxey called new teammate Jaylen Brown a 'freak of nature' at the start of camp, per the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Brown has been staying late for extra workouts. The Sixer Sense reported that Tacko Fall's path onto the roster faces an early obstacle, and rookie Labaron Philon addressed what the same outlet called his biggest red flag.

The verdictNothing on the injury report is settled, and the schedule doesn't turn real until the Knicks arrive October 20. Everything before that is addition and subtraction at camp: a 21-man roster, a $213.2 million bill, and two unresolved tags that share the same target date.

When do the 76ers play their first regular season game?

October 20 at the Knicks, broadcast on NBC/Peacock.

Are Adem Bona and Caldwell-Pope hurt right now?

Both are listed with an estimated return of October 1 — Bona for a foot and leg issue, Caldwell-Pope for a finger and arm problem — but neither has been officially cleared or ruled out.