Is this LeBron's best start with a new team? (1:50)

Kris Rhim Oct 24, 2026, 02:01 PM 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 -- LeBron James will miss Saturday night's game against the 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 on Sunday, also at home. 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.

James, 41, hasn't said publicly that he has had any injury flare-ups this season.…