Sixers Face New Frontcourt Setback as Adem Bona Sidelined With Ankle Sprain

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the new season as one of the more intriguing teams in the Eastern Conference, showing flashes of strong play despite a roster still finding its identity. But the past two weeks have brought a concerning wave of injuries that continues to thin the rotation. After Kelly Oubre Jr. was ruled out for last Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, the organization has also had to monitor Joel Embiid’s workload as he works through ongoing knee rehab.

The team absorbed yet another setback when big man Adem Bona was ruled out for Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. According to PHLY Sports’ Derek Bodner, the second-year center will miss at least three games, including upcoming contests against the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, due to an ankle sprain. The Sixers have not yet released their full injury report for the Clippers game, leaving additional player availability uncertain.

Bona’s absence comes at an inopportune moment for a frontcourt already managing Embiid’s intermittent rest and limited minutes. The 21-year-old has carved out a meaningful role since entering the league as the 41st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, providing valuable energy and rim protection. His development has been one of the brighter surprises on Philadelphia’s early-season ledger.

Even with recent injuries, the Sixers have remained competitive, opening the year at 7–5 while going 5–5 over their last 10 games. The team is still awaiting the season debut of All-Star forward Paul George, who continues to recover from a knee injury.

1. Bona’s Growing Role and Recent Production

Bona has been one of Philadelphia’s most dependable depth pieces this fall, appearing in 12 games entering Monday. In a shade over 14 minutes per night, he has offered modest scoring but meaningful defensive presence, averaging 2.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. His physicality and timing around the rim have been central to his emergence as a rotation big. The former UCLA standout has also earned three starts this season, stepping into a larger role whenever Embiid sits and anchoring interior defense for the second unit. While his offensive numbers remain limited, his ability to disrupt shots and contest drives has made him a valuable situational piece. His efficiency, however, has fluctuated. Bona is shooting 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line—marks that reflect both his rawness and limited offensive use. Still, the organization has maintained confidence in his long-term development curve, given the strides he made as a rookie. During the 2024–25 season, Bona played in 58 games—including 11 starts—logging just over 15 minutes per contest. He showed stronger scoring efficiency as a first-year player, shooting 70.3 percent from the field while posting 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The Sixers hope he can regain that form upon returning from this latest setback.

2. Mounting Injuries Challenge Early Momentum

Philadelphia’s strong start has been tested by an increasingly unstable rotation. Oubre’s recent absence, combined with the ongoing management of Embiid’s knee, has forced head coach Nick Nurse to shuffle lineups and lean more heavily on younger players. Bona’s injury only further complicates that balance. The timing also matters. The Sixers face a stretch of opponents with significant frontcourt firepower, including the Raptors and Bucks—both teams that traditionally fare well against undermanned interiors. Without Bona, Philadelphia will need to rely more on small-ball looks, two-way call-ups or deeper bench options to remain competitive. The Sixers’ defensive identity could be the most strained area. Bona’s rim protection has frequently stabilized second units, and his absence may require expanded roles for backup bigs who have yet to carve out consistent minutes. The coaching staff may also look to adjust defensive schemes, particularly against teams with dominant interior scores. Still, the organization has expressed confidence in its depth and adaptability. Even with a 5–5 record over their last 10 games, the Sixers have shown enough resilience to stay above .500 as they navigate a challenging stretch.

3. Awaiting Reinforcements and Looking Ahead

The biggest organizational question remains the timeline for Paul George’s debut. The star forward has been progressing in his knee injury recovery but has not yet returned to practice in full. His addition is expected to transform the Sixers’ offense and ease the workload on Embiid once both are healthy. Until then, the team will rely on Tyrese Maxey’s continued growth as a lead guard and the steady contributions from role players who have helped stabilize the early schedule. The hope is that the injury setbacks remain temporary and that key contributors return before the season’s momentum shifts further. The front office and medical staff have been deliberate in their approach, emphasizing long-term readiness over short-term boosts. With Embiid’s knee management already a major priority, the organization is expected to approach Bona’s recovery cautiously to avoid further complications. As the Sixers begin this next stretch of the schedule, the focus will be on maintaining defensive consistency, finding temporary frontcourt solutions and avoiding additional injuries while waiting for roster reinforcements.