LeBron James started at center for the 15th time in his 24-year career on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, with Joel Embiid sidelined by right foot plantar fasciitis management and the 76ers’ frontcourt already thin. The Sixers lost 106-93, their first defeat of the season.
The 6-foot-9 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.
A Rare Start at Center
It was James’ first start at center in five seasons. His previous 14 starts there came during the 2021-22 season with the Lakers. In three games this season, James has been used regularly in spurts at center when the Sixers go to small-ball lineups, according to head coach Nick Nurse. James sat out the Sixers’ win over the Bucks to manage sciatica.
James does not expect starting at center to become a regular role for him in Philadelphia.
“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].”
Thin Frontcourt Leads to Rebounding Struggles
The Sixers were missing four big men on Sunday. Along with Embiid, Jabari Walker (knee), Dominick Barlow (back), and Tacko Fall (quad) were all sidelined by injuries. VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers’ best rebounding guard, also missed the game with an abdominal contusion.
“We’ve only got about three guys left that can possibly play the 5,” Nurse said before the game.
Adem Bona was the only true center available for Philadelphia. He played a season-high 25 minutes, grabbing 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, 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 injuries have contributed to the Sixers’ rebounding problems. Opponents have outrebounded Philadelphia in every game this season, including by 22 rebounds on Saturday against Milwaukee and by 17 on Sunday against Detroit.
Guard Tyrese Maxey believes the solution is straightforward.
“Some of our tall guys come back. That would be great,” he said.