With Philadelphia running short on big men, its oldest star took on the biggest assignment.
LeBron James started at center Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, as injuries left the Sixers frontcourt badly depleted, but the Detroit Pistons won 106 to 93 to hand Philadelphia its first loss of the season.
Why did LeBron James start at center?
Joel Embiid sat out as the team manages plantar fasciitis in his right foot, a decision the Sixers made over Embiid’s objections, according to reports. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot, and it can cause sharp heel pain. Embiid has dealt with a long list of injuries during his career, and this season began with his first healthy training camp in years.
The Sixers were also without three other big men, Jabari Walker with a knee injury, Dominick Barlow with a back injury and Tacko Fall with a quad injury. The 76ers head coach said before the game that only about three players left in the Sixers frontcourt could play center.
Guard VJ Edgecombe, the team’s best rebounding guard, also missed the game with an abdominal bruise, further thinning the Sixers frontcourt.
How did James play at center?
James, who stands 6 feet 9 and turns 42 in December, spent much of the night matched up with Pistons big man Paul Reed, a former Sixer. He finished with 18 points, five assists and two rebounds. Reed spent several seasons in Philadelphia before moving on.
It was his 15th career start at center and his first in five seasons. The previous 14 came during his fourth season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has played some center in short stretches this season when the Sixers go small. He missed Saturday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks to manage sciatica. The 76ers have used those small lineups to create mismatches and push the pace.
Does James want to keep playing center?
No. James said the team has an MVP in Embiid, and he did not come to Philadelphia to play center on a regular basis. He said he can do it, but no one on the team would want that arrangement long term. He used colorful language to make his point.
Embiid won the MVP award in 2023. He remains the centerpiece of the team’s title hopes.
How thin is the Sixers frontcourt?
Very. Adem Bona was the only true center available in the Sixers frontcourt Sunday. He played 25 minutes, his most this season, and grabbed 13 rebounds, five on the offensive glass, while scoring six points.
James praised Bona’s energy and effort, saying he gave the team a spark on the boards at both ends and will be valuable all season. Bona, a young center drafted in 2024, has been asked to do more as injuries pile up.
The injuries have hurt the Sixers frontcourt on the glass. Philadelphia has been outrebounded in every game this season, including by 22 against Milwaukee on Saturday and by 17 against Detroit on Sunday. Rebounding has been a weakness even in the team’s wins.
What is the fix for the Sixers frontcourt?
Getting healthy. The team’s star guard said the solution is simple, adding that it would help a lot when some of the team’s taller players return.
Until then, the 76ers will keep leaning on smaller lineups and players like James to plug holes in the Sixers frontcourt.
The team will hope Embiid’s absence is short as it tries to build on a strong start. The 76ers had won their first three games, including the opener against the New York Knicks.
