Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat: preview and player stats (Jan 30, 2027)

James (back) is out for Thursday's game against Toronto. The future Hall of Famer is getting Thursday night off for maintenace purposes. Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown should do the heavy lifting offensively, while Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should soak up extra minutes for the 76ers.

Barlow (back) participated in Thursday's shootaround but doesn't have a timeline to return to game action, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports. Barlow has been dealing with back soreness dating back to the preseason, so his participation in shootaround is an encouraging step. However, the 76ers have yet to provide a firm return date, and he'll likely need to ramp up further before he's cleared to play. Barlow should be monitored in deeper formats, but he isn't someone who needs to be rostered while he remains sidelined.

Bona (back) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week after seeing a specialist, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports. The fact that Bona needed to see a specialist suggests the injury may be more significant than initially thought, and he'll remain sidelined for at least the next several games. Even when healthy, the big man has seen his role shrink with Joel Embiid (foot) back in the rotation, averaging just 0.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in four appearances outside of his 25-minute effort against the Pistons in late October. In Bona's absence, Jabari Walker could see a few more minutes as Philadelphia's backup center.

Hukporti has sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Hukporti went down with an Achilles injury in Monday's preseason opener against the Knicks, and an MRI has since revealed a rupture. He signed a one-year deal with the 76ers over the summer, so Hukporti will be an unrestricted free agent come season's end. With Hukporti's year already finished, Adem Bona (foot) should assume the backup center role behind Joel Embiid once healthy. Reported out for season.

Larsson (illness) is out for Friday's game against Cleveland. Larsson is sidelined for the first half of this back-to-back set with an illness. The expectation is that Andrew Wiggins will move back into the starting lineup after beginning the campaign as a member of the first unit.

Thompson (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers. The Heat sent mixed signals regarding the status of Thompson, first listing him as probable and later questionable before ruling him out altogether. With Andrew Wiggins already in line to fill in for Pelle Larsson (illness) on Friday, rookie second-rounder Ryan Conwell could be preparing for his first career start.