The Philadelphia 76ers face the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 9, 2026. Both teams enter the game dealing with injuries that affect their rotations and lineup decisions. Philadelphia is missing several players, while Cleveland has a healthier roster but still has important absences in the frontcourt and on the wing.Philadelphia’s lineup could change depending on Joel Embiid’s availability. Cleveland, meanwhile, will rely on its guard-heavy offense led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The result may depend on which team manages its missing players more effectively.
Philadelphia 76ers injury report and available roster vs Cleveland Cavaliers (March 9, 2026)
Philadelphia 76ers are without several players heading into the game. Tyrese Maxey remains out with a sprained finger, leaving the team without its main perimeter scorer and playmaker. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe is also unavailable because of a back injury. Johni Broome continues to recover after knee surgery for a lateral meniscus tear.Joel Embiid is listed as questionable with a rib injury. His status will determine how Philadelphia approaches the game. Kelly Oubre Jr. is available after dealing with a knee issue.The rest of the roster is expected to be available. That group includes Paul George, Tyrese Martin, Andre Drummond, Quentin Grimes, Cameron Payne, Kyle Lowry, MarJon Beauchamp, Trendon Watford, Justin Edwards, Dalen Terry, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury | Note |
| 76ers | Joel Embiid | Questionable | Ribs | Game-time decision, dictates Philly’s offensive shape |
| 76ers | Tyrese Maxey | Out | Finger | No timetable yet, primary creator sidelined |
| 76ers | VJ Edgecombe | Out | Back | Rookie guard, depth and defense hit |
| 76ers | Johni Broome | Out | Knee | Recovering from meniscus surgery |
| 76ers | Kelly Oubre Jr. | Available | Knee | Cleared to play, big perimeter workload |
| Cavs | Evan Mobley | Out | Calf | No clear timetable, major defensive loss |
| Cavs | Max Strus | Out | Foot | Post-surgery, movement shooting removed |
| Cavs | Sam Merrill | Out | Hand | Elite shooter unavailable |
| Cavs | Jarrett Allen | Likely out | Knee | Expected to miss, frontcourt depth tested |
Cleveland Cavaliers injury report and roster outlook vs Philadelphia 76ers (March 9, 2026)
Cleveland Cavaliers have fewer injuries but is still missing several rotation players. Evan Mobley remains out with a calf injury. Max Strus is still recovering from surgery after suffering a Jones fracture in his left foot. Sam Merrill is out with a sprained right hand.Jarrett Allen is also expected to miss the game because of a knee issue. Without Allen and Mobley, Cleveland will rely more on Thomas Bryant and smaller lineups.The available rotation includes Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Dennis Schroder, Darius Brown, Keon Ellis, Jaylon Tyson and Tyrese Proctor. Frontcourt options include Larry Nance Jr., Dean Wade, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, Olivier Sarr and Bryant.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Expected contributors (March 9, 2026)
Philadelphia’s offense will rely heavily on Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. with Maxey unavailable. Quentin Grimes is expected to play an important role because of his defense and outside shooting.If Embiid plays, he will remain the center of the offense and interior defense. If he does not play, Philadelphia will likely rely more on perimeter play. George would take on more ball-handling responsibilities while Andre Drummond, Trendon Watford or Adem Bona handle minutes at center.Philadelphia’s bench includes Payne, Lowry, Watford, Beauchamp, Edwards, Terry, Bona, Barlow, Martin and Walker. Coach Nick Nurse can adjust lineups depending on Cleveland’s approach.Cleveland’s offense centers on Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Mitchell handles much of the scoring, while Harden organizes the offense and runs pick-and-roll sets. Dennis Schroder provides additional ball handling and perimeter defense.Because Strus and Merrill are unavailable, Cleveland will depend more on players such as Jaylon Tyson, Keon Ellis and Dean Wade for outside shooting. In the frontcourt, Bryant, Nance or Wade may see more minutes because of the injuries to Mobley and Allen.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Recent meetings and team records
Cleveland has had success in recent games against Philadelphia. Since the start of the 2023–24 season, the Cavaliers hold a 7–3 record in the matchup.Cleveland enters this game with a 39–25 record and sits near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia stands at 34–29 and remains in the middle of the playoff race.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Season performance overview
Philadelphia’s results have been inconsistent this season because of injuries. The team averages around 116.2 points per game and relies heavily on three-point shooting and free throws generated by Embiid and attacking wings. The defense allows roughly 116 points per game and can struggle with rebounding when Embiid is unavailable.Cleveland has been more consistent. The Cavaliers entered March with a 37–24 record and one of the stronger overall statistical profiles in the Eastern Conference. Their offense relies on Mitchell and Harden creating shots through pick-and-roll plays and drive-and-kick situations.Defensively, Cleveland normally relies on Mobley and Allen. With both players unavailable or limited, the team has used more switching and perimeter defense from guards such as Schroder and Ellis.
Matchups that could decide the Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers game (March 9, 2026)
Embiid’s availability will have a major impact. If he plays, Cleveland will have to deal with his scoring and presence in the paint despite missing key frontcourt defenders. If he sits, Philadelphia will rely more on George and perimeter scoring.Another important matchup is Donovan Mitchell against Paul George. Cleveland also has an advantage in guard depth with Harden, Mitchell and Schroder available while Philadelphia is without Maxey.Also read: Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs the Cleveland Cavaliers? Latest update on the Philadelphia 76ers star’s injury report (March 9, 2026)Coaching adjustments could also play a role. Nick Nurse often changes defensive schemes, including zone looks, while Cleveland keeps one of Mitchell or Harden on the floor for most of the game to maintain offensive pressure.
