Sixers Face Uphill Battle in Cleveland Without Key Stars

CLEVELAND, OH – The Philadelphia 76ers (34-29) are set to face a significant challenge on Monday night as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-25) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Philadelphia will be without several key players, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, making an already tough matchup even more daunting.

Injury Report Leaves Sixers Thin

The 76ers’ injury list is extensive. Joel Embiid remains sidelined with a right oblique strain, whereas Paul George is out due to a suspension. Adding to the woes, Tyrese Maxey is similarly unavailable, nursing a sprained right fifth finger . VJ Edgecombe is also out due to a lumbar contusion, and Johni Broome is sidelined with a knee injury.

The Cavaliers are also dealing with injuries, but their situation is less severe. Jarrett Allen is out with a knee injury, while Dean Wade is probable with an ankle issue. Tyrese Proctor and Max Strus are also unavailable, along with Olivier Sarr who is currently in the G League .

Expected Starting Lineups

Given the injuries, here’s a look at the expected starting lineups:

• Cavaliers: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley
• 76ers: Cameron Payne, Quintin Grimes, Kelly Oubre, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona

Recent Matchup

The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 117-115 on January 16th in their previous meeting, with Evan Mobley securing the win with a last-second dunk.

Embiid Reaches Milestone Despite Recent Loss

Despite the recent 133-107 loss to the Cavaliers on January 14, 2026, Joel Embiid reached a significant milestone, becoming the seventh player in 76ers franchise history to score 13,000 points . In that game, Embiid finished with 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, shooting 7/14 from the field and 2/5 from three-point range in 25 minutes of play.

Looking Ahead

With a depleted roster, the 76ers face a tough challenge against a strong Cavaliers team. The absence of key players like Embiid and Maxey will require a collective effort from the remaining players to remain competitive. The 76ers will need a strong performance from Cameron Payne and Kelly Oubre to have a chance at securing a victory in Cleveland.