LeBron to sit out vs. Bucks in first game of back-to-back
Kris RhimOct 24, 2026, 02:01 PM ET
- Kris Rhim is an NBA reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers, returning to his hometown to chronicle LeBron James' final chapter. Kris joined ESPN in 2023 and spent three seasons covering the Los Angeles Chargers before moving to the NBA.
PHILADELPHIA -- LeBron James will miss Saturday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks to manage low back pain/sciatica, the 76ers announced.
Saturday marks the start of Philadelphia's first back-to-back; they play the Detroit Pistons at home Sunday. James missed the opening 14 games of last season with sciatica, which is the irritation of a nerve that runs through the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, lower leg, and foot.
But James, 41, hasn't said publicly that he's had any injury flare ups this season. As his injury designation suggests, this appears to be managing this past injury over a long season for the NBA's oldest player.
In two games this season, James is averaging 15.5 points and leads the 76ers in both rebounds (9.5) and assists (6.0) per game.
Forward Dean Wade, who has yet to make his Sixers debut while nursing a left ankle sprain, remains questionable.
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