- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
LeBron James started at center for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, his first such start in five seasons and only the 15th of his 24-year career.
James contributed 18 points, five assists and two rebounds in the 106-93 defeat, which ended Philadelphia's unbeaten run. His prior 14 center starts all came in the 2021-22 season with the Lakers.
"Well, s--- we got an MVP over there. I'm not here to have a sustainable role at the five," James said. Nick Nurse had utilized James in brief stretches at center in small-ball lineups this season.
James sat out the Sixers' win over the Cavaliers to manage sciatica. Philadelphia was without Embiid, Jabari Walker, Dominick Barlow and Tacko Fall due to injuries, while VJ Edgecombe missed the contest with an abdominal contusion. Adem Bona, the only available true center, played a season-high 25 minutes and collected 13 rebounds. The Sixers have been outrebounded in each game this season, including by 22 versus Milwaukee on Saturday and 17 by Detroit.
Source: ESPN - Mon Oct 26, 12:34 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).