PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers head into a matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, they will be missing LeBron James due to lower back/sciatica management. It makes sense as James is in his 24th season and will turn 42 on Dec. 30. The Sixers aren't going to have him every night as they look to manage him for the entire season.
Through 10 games with Philadelphia, James is averaging 15.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists while shooting 43.2% from the floor and 23.7% from deep. He has been terrific defensively and has been great as a playmaker and such, but coach Nick Nurse and the Sixers decided to rest him against the Raptors.
"Well, it's part of the long term picture, and that's where the medical is at today to rest him,"
Nurse said pregame. "So, that's what we’re doing."
As far as the chemistry and cohesion part of it all. The Sixers have already played in a lot of big games and have been able to build as a group and get everybody experience playing together in big moments. So, while they haven't had their full starting lineup in every game, they've played enough together to get themselves moving forward. James has earned a night's rest.
"Obviously, it feels like it's been a very busy schedule," Nurse stated. "Lots of big games, lots of nationally televised games, all that kind of stuff, too. So, all that stuff adds up into neat. Glad we had a majority of our guys out there, all that kind of stuff. Plus, we're fairly new together, so getting as much time together as possible to see where we possibly can go."
Tip off from the Xfinity Mobile Arena is set for 7 p.m. EST on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers coach Nick Nurse explains LeBron James sitting vs. Raptors
