Overview
- The team announced Monday that imaging found a lumbar spine bone stress response in Dominick Barlow and he will be reevaluated in two weeks, ruling him out of the season opener.
- Philadelphia already lost Ariel Hukporti for the season to a torn Achilles and has Tacko Fall unavailable while Adem Bona, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons are listed as questionable for the opener.
- Barlow was a regular rotation starter in 2025-26, starting 59 games and averaging 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, so his absence removes a versatile interior defender and rebounder the team counted on.
- The Sixers sit below the NBA first-apron hard cap so adding a minimum-salary free agent would likely push them over the apron, which effectively limits outside signings until mid-December unless they make other roster moves.
- Coach Nick Nurse is expected to rely on smaller frontcourt looks and internal options such as Adem Bona, Jabari Walker and Dean Wade for center minutes, and the team will monitor Barlow’s progress ahead of a planned two-week recheck.