LeBron James started at center for the Philadelphia 76ers for the 15th time in his 24-year career Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, after Joel Embiid was held out to manage right foot plantar fasciitis and the team’s frontcourt was already thin. The Sixers lost 106-93, their first defeat of the season.
James, who turns 42 in December, matched up with Pistons big man Paul Reed for much of the game. He finished with 18 points, five assists and two rebounds. It was his first start at center in five seasons. The previous 14 came during the 2021-22 season with the Lakers. Earlier this season, head coach Nick Nurse had used James in spurts at center during small-ball lineups. James sat out the Sixers’ win over the Bucks to manage sciatica.
James Rejects a Long-Term Role at Center
James does not believe starting at center will become a permanent role for him, and he does not think the Sixers want that either.
“Well, s— we got an MVP over there. I’m not here to have a sustainable role at the 5,” 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 5, I don’t think none of us would actually want that. I can do it, but… we have [Embiid].”
Injuries Leave Philadelphia Short On Big Men
The Sixers were missing four big men Sunday. Along with Embiid, Jabari Walker (knee), Dominick Barlow (back) and Tacko Fall (quad) were all sidelined. VJ Edgecombe, the team’s best rebounding guard, also sat out with an abdominal contusion.
“We’ve only got about three guys left that can possibly play the 5,” Nurse said before the game.
That left Adem Bona as the only true center available. He played a season-high 25 minutes and grabbed 13 rebounds, five of them on offense, while scoring six points. James praised his effort.
“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 depleted frontcourt has hurt Philadelphia on the glass. Opponents have outrebounded the Sixers in every game this season, including by 22 on Saturday against Milwaukee and by 17 on Sunday against Detroit.
Guard Tyrese Maxey said the solution is straightforward. “Some of our tall guys come back. That would be great,” he said.