Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic: preview and player stats (Nov 18, 2026)

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.

Banchero is expected to be sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks due to a right high-ankle sprain, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Banchero left during Friday's loss against the Timberwolves due to an ankle injury, and follow-up tests have confirmed a high-ankle sprain for the fifth-year forward. With an extended absence expected, the Magic will have to rely more heavily on Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane offensively, and Tristan da Silva figures to be the top candidate to enter the Magic's starting lineup for as long as Banchero is sidelined.

Isaac (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against Sacramento. Isaac has yet to make his 2026-27 debut while continuing his rehab from a left knee injury. His next opportunity to take the court will arrive Wednesday in Utah.

Penda was diagnosed with a partially torn right hamstring Saturday, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Penda suffered the hamstring tear in Friday's 136-115 preseason win over the Heat. It's unknown how long the injury will keep the 21-year-old off the floor. However, since it's a different injury than the one he suffered in the same hamstring during training camp, the team may take a cautious approach regarding his return. Penda, the No. 32 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 12.8 minutes per outing in 59 regular-season games in 2025-26. While he's not expected to be a mainstay in the rotation throughout the 2026-27 campaign, his absence could open up a few minutes for Tristan Da Silva.

Team president Jeff Weltman said Monday that Nelson (ankle) remains about a month away from returning to the court after offseason surgery, per Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com. With Nelson still in recovery mode from the left ankle surgery he underwent this summer, his path back to game action remains delayed for the early part of the season. The rookie big man is on a two-way contract with the Magic, so his short-term absence mainly affects his developmental timeline rather than Orlando's regular rotation.