Just like the Philadelphia 76ers ready for the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night time, they knew they’d be with out the providers of seven-time All-Star middle Joel Embiid.
Wednesday’s absence marked the third straight sport Embiid had within the night. Whereas the Sixers’ damage report cites “damage administration” as the rationale for his absence, the massive man has been coping with swelling lately.
It is unclear when Embiid could have the possibility to return to the sphere. When the Sixers held a exercise Tuesday morning, Embiid was not a participant, in line with staff officers. As they’ve all season, the Sixers are taking it daily with Embiid, and they’ll proceed to take action because the season progresses.
“He must play once more and see how he responds,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse stated Wednesday. “That’s sort of the place we’re proper now.”
As irritating as the method has been throughout the first a part of the 2024-25 NBA season, Nurse continues to reiterate that even the tough intervals of absence have been accounted for within the preliminary plan.
“I feel we knew there could be instances and instances the place it might take a little bit bit longer,” Nurse added. “We’re hoping these moments between video games will reduce as we transfer ahead right here, as he will get a little bit stronger over there.”
Embiid missed the complete preseason. When the Sixers opened the 2024-25 NBA season on October 23 with a sport towards the Milwaukee Bucks at residence, the massive man was dominated out for not less than the primary week. Embiid ended up lacking the primary 9 video games of the season.
When he debuted towards the New York Knicks on November 12, Embiid spent 26 minutes scoring 13 factors on 2-11 capturing from the sphere. He missed his tenth sport of the season the next night time.
Final week, Embiid managed to string collectively three video games for the primary time this 12 months. He averaged 22 factors, 9 rebounds and three assists on 43% capturing in roughly 98 minutes of play.
The excellent news is that Embiid began to appear to be his greatest in his final outing, scoring a double-double of 35 factors in 35 minutes. The dangerous information is that his longest shift but got here at a worth.
The Sixers will go to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. The staff has but to make a name on Embiid’s standing for this sport.
