The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the biggest surprises this season, but their season is in jeopardy of going into the tank. As star big man Joel Embiid will likely miss significant time after being ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Utah Jazz yesterday evening.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Embiid, who was injured in Tuesday night’s loss to Golden State, will receive further evaluation on his left knee in the next 24 hours. Woj added that Embiid will likely head back to Philadelphia while the team prepares to face the Jazz.
Sixers star Joel Embiid is out for Thursday's game vs. Utah and will receive further evaluation on his left knee in the next 24 hours, team official tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers Rumors: Joel Embiid Expected To Miss Time, Sixers Likely To Severely Short-Handed Against Utah
The always dominant Embiid sat out the two prior games due to knee soreness before returning against the Warriors. But even with the big fella back in the lineup, things didn’t go as planned and got worse as the game went on. Kyle Neubeck of AllPhily.com said that Embiid was laboring a bit in warmups.
Here is more from Neubeck about how Embiid looked against the Warriors:
You could see the “want to” was there for Embiid on several occasions, with the big man offering timely help at the rim and at least trying to contest shots around the basket on defense. But there was next to no lift for Embiid when he went to defend his basket, neutralizing his value as a rim protector. On one noteworthy play, Embiid loaded up to offer a late challenge at the basket, and then had his legs buckle as he fell to the floor.
Nah bro what the hell pic.twitter.com/hn9TJQqkxd
— Denver📈 (@doubledworth) January 31, 2024
It wasn’t much better on the other end of the floor. You could argue that his lack of touch made it look worse than it otherwise should have, but Embiid also showed little ability or desire to get beyond that midrange level, even with small, mismatched players he could have attacked. His long twos were longer than usual, and with opportunities to attack the basket in transition, he appeared to hold back at least a couple of times, tossing soft kick-outs to the corner instead of forcing the Warriors to wrap him up and foul.
Then, with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s leg as he dove for a loose ball. Embiid immediately grabbed the knee and was in “visible pain.”
Joel Embiid MVP Status
Embiid is once again having an MVP-type season despite dealing with soreness in the knee for the entire season, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick. The 29-year-old reigning NBA MVP is in the midst of a historic season, leading the league in scoring at 35.3 points, sixth in rebounds (11.3) and 28th in assists (5.8).
Amick said there is a “strong sense” that Embiid will be out a few more games.
Tonight’s absence marks Embiid’s 13 missed games. Therefore, if Embiid misses five more games, he will be ineligible for end-of-the-season awards.
More significantly, for Philadelphia (29-17), it could be their season. The 76ers have struggled recently and entered the game against the Jazz on a season-high four-game skid. The Sixers, 3-9 in games without Embiid, sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They have a three-game lead over the sixth-place Indiana Pacers.
The NBA is getting a lot of heat for their new “player” rule.
“Joel playing tonight felt very much so because of the 65-game rule,” Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green said on The Draymond Green Show. “I think it’s actually quite bulls—.
"Now we got one of the premier faces of this league possibly hurt because he's forcing it"
—@Money23Green isn't rocking with the NBA's new 65-game threshold pic.twitter.com/wAGwDbJ5vc
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 31, 2024
“I didn’t sign up for that (65-game rule),” Paul Reed told Amick. “I don’t remember signing no paperwork, you feel me? I guess the union okayed it. They probably didn’t have a choice though, to be honest. Yeah, it’s tough. It adds a lot of pressure to the players. We were just talking about that. A lot of pressure, especially dudes like (Embiid who are) trying to get MVP again.”
Injuries Are Mounting For The Sixers
Embiid may not only be the Sixer sitting out tonight. Tyrese Maxey and Nico Batum are questionable for the contest. Meanwhile, Marcus Morris Sr. is doubtful.
Maxey has missed the last three games with a left ankle sprain. Coach Nick Nurse said Wednesday that he was hopeful that Maxey could return for Thursday’s game.
Batum sat out the game against the Warriors due to a hamstring injury and is in real danger of missing another contest. Morris is also likely to sit out a second consecutive game due to a foot ailment.
It looks like that Nurse will have to piece together his rotation even if Maxey can go tonight.
Reed will once again start in place of Embiid. Reed is having a career year and has excelled as a starter. He averages 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his previous 1o starts. The 24-year-old center has posted two double-doubles in these 10 contests. Kelly Oubre, Pat Beverley, Furkan Kormaz, and KJ Martin Jr. could see significant minutes again, depending on the three players’ status.
De’anthony Melton, Robert Covington, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. remain out.
On a positive note, Melton is slated to have his back re-evaluated this week. So, he may return sometime soon.
