The Philadelphia 76ers are back in action for the first time since Sunday as they prepare to host the Indiana Pacers tonight. Following a loss to the Lakers, the Sixers are looking to get back in the win column, with what should be an easy matchup against a bottom-five team in the NBA — though as always, Philadelphia is not in a position to underestimate an incoming opponent.
Adding to their home-court advantage, the Sixers received a positive update when the team’s injury report was released Thursday evening.
Sixers center Joel Embiid was listed as probable, an encouraging sign amid his continued recovery. Joining Embiid was Tyrese Maxey, who is dealing with an illness. Paul George was absent from the injury report.
In what will be their 24th game, the matchup marks just the third potential game in which the Sixers’ big three have taken the court together. In the two games they have played together, the trio has only spent 36 minutes together on the court. While the sample size leaves much to be desired, the results are an impressive net rating of 15.31.
The more time the three can spend on the court, the better. Hopefully, this game will allow them to do just that.
Unfortunately, the injury report was filled with more than positives.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee sprain) remains out, set to miss his 12th straight game, last playing on Nov. 14 against the Detroit Pistons. Oubre underwent his latest evaluation earlier this week, but there has been no official word on the results, aside from the fact that he has yet to rejoin the team at practice, though he has participated in some individual workouts.
Then there’s Trendon Watford (left adductor strain), who also remains sidelined. Watford is set to miss his seventh straight game, last playing on Nov. 25 against the Orlando Magic. Like Oubre, Watford is making progress, but, like Oubre, he’s currently limited to individual workouts during practice.
The Sixers and Pacers will tip off tonight at 7 p.m. EST.
