LeBron James Out Against Raptors With Back Issues

After Philadelphia’s 123-101 loss to Boston on Tuesday, LeBron James scored 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting, with eight rebounds and five assists, while Joel Embiid had 16 points on 2-for-9 shooting. Boston made 22 three-pointers to Philadelphia’s 11. James was ruled out of Philadelphia’s Thursday home game against Toronto for lower-back and sciatica management; Embiid remained questionable with a right-foot injury, and several other 76ers were also ruled out. Embiid said he would await guidance from the medical staff, leaving Philadelphia potentially short-handed in the frontcourt. In his first season with Philadelphia, James, 41, has averaged 15.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists, and the team opened 9-3; Embiid is averaging 17.7 points while shooting 37% from the field.