As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for their home opener Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they will do so without forward Dean Wade, who was downgraded to out shortly before the game.
Wade, who signed a four-year, $38.7 million deal with Philadelphia over the summer, turned his ankle in the team's preseason finale, causing him to miss the season opener against the New York Knicks.
The Sixers used Wade as a situational small-ball 5 while Adem Bona missed the preseason. Even with Bona's return, they briefly tried Jabari Walker in that role against the Knicks, but a six-point swing in New York's favor during his stint was enough to end his night. That led to LeBron James taking over the responsibility, something that ideally would be a luxury rather than a necessity.
In addition to Wade, Dominick Barlow remains out with a back injury, as do two-way center Tacko Fall and Ariel Hukporti, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen was questionable heading into the matchup but has since been upgraded to available. Khalifa Diop (left knee), Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) and Ernest Udeh Jr. (two-way) are all out.
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