The Philadelphia 76ers got a much-needed reality check in their latest matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers - and not the kind they were hoping for. After an impressive road win, the Sixers came out flat in the first leg of a home-and-home against Cleveland, getting run off their own floor in a 26-point blowout.
But the scoreboard wasn’t the only concern. In the middle of the game, starting power forward Dominick Barlow took a hard spill during an offensive sequence and exited with what looked like a back injury.
Barlow needed help from teammates to get to the locker room, and for a moment, it felt like the Sixers’ frontcourt depth - which had just started to stabilize - was on the verge of unraveling again. But here’s the good news: the injury scare might not be as serious as it looked. According to head coach Nick Nurse, Barlow avoided any major damage and is officially listed as a game-time decision for the second leg of the back-to-back against Cleveland.
Initially, the team was planning to get Barlow an MRI, which is always a red flag. But the 22-year-old reportedly felt better at practice and didn’t end up needing one. That’s a huge sigh of relief for a Sixers squad that’s already been navigating a tricky stretch of the season.
Barlow may still sit out Friday’s rematch, but the fact that he’s even in the conversation to play is a win in itself. The young forward has carved out a key role for Philadelphia this season, bringing energy, defense, and athleticism to a starting lineup that’s leaned on him more than anyone expected coming into the year. He’s not just filling a spot - he’s making a real impact on both ends.
The timing of the injury scare couldn’t have been worse. The Sixers had just welcomed back Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford from their own injury absences, giving them a much-needed boost in wing and forward depth.
Losing Barlow would’ve put even more pressure on those returning players to ramp up quickly. While Oubre and Watford may still see increased minutes as a precaution, it looks like the Sixers have dodged a bullet.
With the season nearing its midpoint, staying healthy is becoming more than just a priority - it’s a necessity. The Eastern Conference standings are starting to tighten up behind the top-seeded Pistons, and there’s a real opportunity for the Sixers to climb if they can keep their core intact. That’s why the team will likely play it safe with Barlow, even if he’s eager to get back out there.
Philly has enough depth and momentum to hold the line if he needs an extra game or two to recover. But make no mistake - the Sixers are breathing a lot easier today than they were 24 hours ago.