LeBron James is playing center for the first time in a long time and holding his own in the unfamiliar role for the Philadelphia 76ers.

But don't expect the 41-year-old veteran's run as a big man to last any longer than necessary.

"Well, s--, we got an MVP over there," James said Sunday, per ESPN. "I'm not here to have a sustainable role at the 5. You got Joel Embiid on the team. ...

"If I was to say I was signed here to have a sustainable role at the 5, I don't think none of us would actually want that. I can do it, but ... we have (Embiid)."

The 6-foot-9 James started at center Sunday for the 15th time in his 24-year career and first since the 2021-22 season. He tallied 18 points, five assists and two rebounds while matched up against Paul Reed in a 106-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

James, who sat out Saturday's win against the Milwaukee Bucks to manage sciatica, has appeared in three of Philadelphia's four games this season. The 76ers are 3-1.

Embiid, the league MVP in 2022-23, is sidelined with plantar fasciitis management in his right foot. Three other big men -- Jabari Walker (knee), Dominick Barlow (back), Tacko Fall (quad) -- are also out.

Center Adem Bona played a season-high 25 minutes off the bench on Sunday, recording six points and 13 rebounds and earning praise from James.

"I thought he was amazing tonight -- his energy, his effort," James said.

Philadelphia has three games this week. They visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, host the New York Knicks on Friday and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.