The Sixers are 2-0 and third in the East, and Milwaukee comes to town at 0-2 on NBA TV. The real story is who is healthy enough to play it.
Will LeBron James play against Milwaukee?
Nobody outside the building knows yet. His back and torso issue carries an estimated return of Oct. 24, which is tonight. Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported he is questionable, listed for sciatica management, while Embiid is not on the report. She also cautioned that the report could change before tipoff.
Who absorbs the minutes if he sits?
Maxey and Brown, and that is a heavy ask. Against Cleveland, Maxey played 42 minutes for 32 points and Brown played 38 for 21. The Pistons come the next day, Oct. 25. Asking those two to repeat that workload twice in 48 hours is how a good start turns into a sore one.
Does the bench have anything to give?
Thursday it gave 7 points while the starters scored 105. Simons went 0-for-4 from three and finished minus-24 in 17 minutes. Wade is listed with an ankle issue and an Oct. 24 return, Fall is out until Oct. 25, and Barlow is out until Nov. 2. Depth is the weak spot.
Is Milwaukee an easy night?
Not automatically. The Bucks are 0-2, but they went 32-50 last season with a net rating of minus-6.1, and Rollins averaged 17.3 points. Philadelphia just trailed Cleveland by 29 and won by 8, which proves resilience and also shows how little margin the early minutes are getting.
Is LeBron James playing tonight against the Bucks?
He is listed with a back and torso issue and an estimated return of Oct. 24. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Gina Mizell reported him as questionable.
What is the Sixers' record and seed?
Philadelphia is 2-0 and holds the third seed in the East after beating the Knicks and the Cavaliers.
