After enjoying a time of rest during the NBA’s All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers will be returning to the cold, harsh reality of their season in their first game back, as it was announced that star center Joel Embiid would miss the Sixers’ Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
Following the team’s return to practice on Wednesday, Embid’s status was among the top talking points during the team’s post-practice media availability. Having missed the team's last two matchups before the break due to right knee soreness, Embiid’s return in the Sixers’ first game of the unofficial second half of the season was not guaranteed.
"He's got a meeting here shortly with the doctors and stuff here this afternoon, so we'll know a little bit more about where he is.” Head Coach Nick Nurse said. “But he was out there a little bit today. [He] looked pretty good.”
Nurse was later asked about the specifics of Embiid’s injury, whether it was pain or swelling.
"I don't know,” Nurse said. “This is just a scheduled meeting with the doctors today. So I think that they need to check everything out and see where he is. So we'll know more later.”
Later that evening, the team informed media members of Embiid’s status.
According to the team, Embiid was participating in a right knee injury management program during the All-Star break when he reported soreness in his right shin. After a consultation with doctors, Embiid received daily treatment to the knee while progressing through on-court work and strength and conditioning workouts.
As a result of this soreness, Embiid will miss Thursday’s game vs. Atlanta and will be reevaluated ahead of the team's back-to-back this weekend, with further updates to be provided later this week.
Embiid will miss at least his third game in a row, and has missed 14 games so far this season. When he's played, Embiid has impressed, averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and has been among the Sixers' few sources of rim protection. Philadelphia sorely needs its star center back as the team prepares for a playoff push.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats included in this article are via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference or Team Rankings. All salary information via Spotrac.
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