Chris Webber missed his first game with the Sixers last night due to peroneal neuropathy in his left leg, more commonly known as a compressed nerve.
Neuropathy is a general term denoting functional disturbances and pathological changes in the nerves. The announcement came just minutes before game time.
According to coach Jim O'Brien, Webber's status is unknown for the next game, Wednesday at the Wachovia Center against Detroit.
"I knew he had discomfort in his Achilles when he woke up," O'Brien said after last night's 94-88 loss to the visiting Chicago Bulls.
"When he came, there was some swelling. They got it down, but it was too tender for him to play."
O'Brien and Allen Iverson refused to use Webber's absence as an excuse.
"I played my whole career without Chris Webber," said Iverson, who scored 31 points but committed 11 turnovers. "It would help on the basketball court, but that's not an excuse I make. I can play good with or without him."
The Sixers are 6-5 in the games Webber has played. His chronic knee problems often cause him to experience pain during the second game of a back-to-back series.
He played 35 minutes and contributed 14 points and eight rebounds during the 93-81 victory over the Cavaliers on Friday night in Cleveland.
He missed eight games this season with Sacramento. Last night was the first time Webber had been sidelined by injury since he missed four consecutive games with the Kings, from Jan. 30 through Feb. 4.
Webber was replaced in the starting lineup by Rodney Rogers.