LeBron James out Saturday; Dean Wade questionable for 76ers

Fantasy basketball: James will miss the first half of Philadelphia's back-to-back with back pain, while Wade remains day-to-day with a sprained ankle.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 24, 2026

LeBron James will miss Saturday night's game against the Bucks to manage low back pain and sciatica, the 76ers announced. The game is the first half of Philadelphia's first back-to-back of the season; they host the Pistons on Sunday. James, 41, missed the opening 14 games of last season with sciatica. Dean Wade, who has yet to make his Sixers debut while nursing a left ankle sprain, remains questionable for Saturday.

James cannot help a fantasy lineup until he is cleared. Through 2 games this season, he is averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 33.6 minutes per game. Last season over 60 games, he posted 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 threes in 33.2 minutes a game. Our projection has him at 37.9 fantasy points per game in default points scoring, ranked 45th overall with a nine-category value of 1.08.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

LeBron James

James cannot play while listed out with back pain and sciatica. The 76ers have 1 game left this week, Saturday against Milwaukee, and as long as he is out that game does him no good for fantasy. Philadelphia has no games next week. Last season over 60 games, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 threes on 51.5% shooting from the field and 73.7% from the line in 33.2 minutes a game, starting every contest.

This season his usage sits at 23.9% with 47.4% true shooting. Our projection is 37.9 fantasy points per game in default points scoring, and his nine-category value is 1.08, ranked 45th overall with a Roundup Score of 81 out of 99. Check the injury report before Sunday's game to see if he is cleared to return for the second half of the back-to-back.

Dean Wade

Wade is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bucks due to a left ankle sprain and has yet to make his Sixers debut this season. As long as he is out, his 1 game left this week does nothing for fantasy. Philadelphia has no games next week. Check that he is active before tip if he is upgraded to available. Last season over 59 games, Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.2 threes in 22.3 minutes per game, starting 64% of the time.

His nine-category value is negative 3.63, ranked 238th overall with a Roundup Score of 45 out of 99. Our projection is 15.5 fantasy points per game in default points scoring. He does not offer enough when healthy to warrant a roster spot in most formats, and the ankle injury only pushes him further down the priority list.

Austin Reaves

Reaves posted 28 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 3 threes and 6 turnovers on 10-of-13 shooting and 5-of-6 from the line in 38 minutes as a starter on Friday, October 23, when the Lakers beat the Clippers 125-117. Last season over 51 games, he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.3 threes on 49.0% shooting from the field and 87.1% from the line in 34.5 minutes a game, starting 88% of the time. This season his usage is 25.2% with 82.2% true shooting.

Through 2 games, including Friday, Reaves is averaging 25.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 35.2 minutes per game. Our projection is 38.7 fantasy points per game in default points scoring, and his nine-category value is 3.85, ranked 20th overall with a Roundup Score of 88 out of 99. The Lakers have no games left this week and no games next week.

What to do

• Keep James rostered in all formats and check the injury report before Sunday's game to see if he returns for the second half of the back-to-back.

• Leave Wade on waivers unless desperate for depth in deep leagues, and only after confirming he is cleared to play.

• Start Reaves with confidence in all formats when the Lakers next play, as he remains a top-20 option in nine-category leagues and projects for strong fantasy points production.

Schedule this week