The Philadelphia 76ers will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena with both teams managing significant injury concerns. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET as Philadelphia looks to extend its strong start to the 2025–26 season.
The 76ers will be without several key players, including Joel Embiid, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, and rookie guard Jared McCain. All four remain sidelined due to various knee and elbow issues, forcing head coach Nick Nurse to continue relying heavily on Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. for offensive production.
Embiid’s absence continues as he recovers from a left knee injury, while George remains out following offseason knee surgery. McCain and Barlow are also nursing left knee and right elbow injuries, respectively.
Despite being shorthanded, Philadelphia enters the matchup with a 5–2 record, led by Maxey’s 34.4 points and 8.4 assists per game. Oubre has averaged 19.3 points and nearly six rebounds, providing consistency alongside rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, who has averaged 19.1 points in his first seven starts.
The Cavaliers, sitting at 4–3, have their own uncertainty. Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, and Sam Merrill are all listed as questionable. Allen is recovering from a fractured finger, Garland is easing back from toe surgery, Hunter is battling illness, and Merrill is nursing a hip contusion.
Cleveland will also be without Max Strus, who underwent surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot. His absence leaves a gap in the Cavaliers’ perimeter rotation.
Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley have led the way for Cleveland, averaging 29.5 and 19.3 points respectively. Mobley has added 8.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while Mitchell’s scoring has powered the Cavaliers to two straight home wins.
The 76ers, meanwhile, continue to find success through pace and spacing, averaging 123.6 points per game. Philadelphia has won three of its four road games this season, while Cleveland holds a 2–1 record at home.
