LeBron hopeful cameo at center won't be fixture for short-handed 76ers

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  Kris RhimOct 26, 2026, 12:30 AM ET

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  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 -- With 76ers center Joel Embiid out with right foot plantar fasciitis management -- and the Sixers' frontcourt already thin -- LeBron James started at center for the 15th time in his 24-year career Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.

The 6-foot-9 James, who turns 42 in December, matched up with Pistons big man Paul Reed for much of the night, finishing with 18 points, five assists and two rebounds in the 106-93 loss, the Sixers' first of the season.

It was James' first time starting at center in five seasons; all 14 prior instances came in the 2021-22 season with the Lakers. Over three games this year -- James sat out the Sixers win over the Cavaliers to manage sciatica -- head coach Nick Nurse has used James regularly in spurts at center when the Sixers have gone to small-ball lineups.

Nevertheless, James doesn't believe starting at center is something that the Sixers will need moving forward -- or want.

"Well, s--- we got an MVP over there. I'm not here to have a sustainable role at the five," James said. "You got Joel Embiid on the team. ... If I was to say I was signed here to have a sustainable role at the five, I don't think none of us would actually want that. I can do it, but... we have [Embiid]."​

The Sixers are incredibly thin in the frontcourt. On Sunday, they were without Embiid and three other big men who were sidelined with injuries: Jabari Walker (knee), Dominick Barlow (back), and Tacko Fall (quad).

"We've only got about three guys left that can possibly play the five," coach Nick Nurse said pregame.

To add insult to injury, VJ Edgecombe -- the Sixers' best rebounding guard -- was also out with an abdominal contusion. Adem Bona was the only true center available on Sunday and played a season-high 25 minutes, grabbing 13 rebounds (five on offense) and scoring six points.

"I thought he was amazing tonight: his energy, his effort," James said. "For us, who weren't rebounding well. He came in and gave us that spark on the rebounding offensively and defensively. So, I think his energy and his effort are going to be great for our team throughout the whole season."

The Sixers' injuries to their frontcourt have been evident in their struggles rebounding. Opponents have outrebounded Philly in each game this season. The last two games have been particularly bad for the Sixers, with Milwaukee outrebounding them by 22 on Saturday and Detroit by 17 on Sunday.

For guard Tyrese Maxey, the fix is simple.

"Some of our tall guys come back. That would be great," he said.