LeBron James sat out the third game of the Philadelphia 76ers' season, days after sparking fury from President Donald Trump over his behavior during the national anthem.

James, 41, sat out the first of two games in consecutive games for his new team due to lower back/sciatica management. 

In his absence, the 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-116 to continue their perfect 3-0 start to the new season.

Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed that James hasn't expressed feeling any pain or discomfort and they are 'not worried' about his fitness for the rest of the season.

But the franchise is understandably being cautious with the veteran, now in his 24th NBA season and eyeing a fifth championship before he retires.  

Nurse said: 'I think I said after the game that the medical teams and LeBron's team and the front office group has been kind of working on that and it's where they landed.

'Not sure where we are tomorrow yet. But that's where we are tonight, then we'll roll from there.'

James' absence enabled him to also step out of the spotlight after he faced backlash following a clip showing him stretching, practicing his free throw motion and swinging an imaginary golf club during the national anthem before his 76ers debut against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

President Trump publicly called out James, writing on Truth Social: 'While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE.

'LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!'

James, 41, was asked about the president's comments following the 76ers' stunning comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. 'It must be a slow news day at the office, you know,' he said.

However, James responded after the 76ers home opener. 'It must be a slow news day at the office, you know,' he said.

Joel Embiid had a triple-double with LeBron James out on Saturday. Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and went 12 of 14 from the free-throw line. 

He is expected to sit out on Sunday night with James returning to the lineup, though he told reporters he would like to play. 

'I have no idea. I actually want to play tomorrow, so can you guys put pressure on them? I don't know,' said Embiid after Saturday's win. 

'You don't have to ask them, but obviously, you got three days off. Could have been two, but you get three days off.

'But it doesn't really matter. It's all about the season going well. So I guess the more time you can get to recover, the better, and then get used to it. But yeah, I want to play tomorrow. So I'll start writing articles.'

Embiid, like James, is being carefully managed by the franchise. He has not played more than 40 games in a season since the 2022-23 campaign.