Joel Embiid has had his share of disappointments when it comes to injuries. But this season has been a never-ending despondency for the 76ers’ center.
The 2023 NBA MVP will remain sidelined and miss the team’s upcoming road trip after experiencing increased swelling in his left knee on Thursday. Embiid is scheduled to be reevaluated in seven to 10 days.
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The news arrived after Embiid missed the previous six games because of a sprained left foot. The seven-time All-Star has only played 13 games this season because of the sprained foot, knee swelling, left knee management, a right sinus fracture, and a three-game suspension.
Embiid will receive treatment in the coming days to address the swelling.
“I think we’re all disappointed a little bit,” coach Nick Nurse said following Friday’s practice. “I think that you feel bad for him, too. I know he’s been trying to get out there. I think he’s been playing a lot better and all that stuff. But, yeah, disappointed, I guess it is for sure for him and for all of us.
“But, like always, I got to get the guys that are there ready to play a game again tomorrow night.”
In addition to Embiid, Paul George (ankle), Guerschon Yabusele (knee), Ricky Council IV (illness), Kyle Lowry (hip), and KJ Martin (foot) didn’t participate in Friday’s practice. Andre Drummond (toe) was a full participant after being sidelined for six games. And Caleb Martin (right groin) was a partial participant.
George and Yabusele are questionable for Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (7 p.m., NBCSP). Drummond is listed as probable and Council is available to play against the Pacers (23-19). However, Lowry, Caleb Martin, and KJ Martin will remain sidelined.
After Saturday, the Sixers will face the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday at Fiserv Forum (7 p.m., NBCSP). They’ll conclude the three-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets at 10 p.m. Tuesday at Ball Arena.
“We just have a small margin of error right now,” Eric Gordon said. “We have a lot of guys in and out, right now, in these past few games. We just have to execute better, talk it out better offensively and defensively a little bit more.
“All of the games have been pretty close. So we just have to figure it out, honing in on our execution.”
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Embiid would have provided a lift for a team looking to snap a four-game losing streak and win for just the third time in 10 games.
“It’s tough,” Gordon said of not having their franchise player. “Dealing with injuries is part of the game, and then he’s a big part of what we do. So it’s always tough and hard to find guy to do what he can do. He makes the game easier for all of us.
“But we still got to figure out ways to fight [through] that to win. So we got to continue honing in. We still got a lot of season left.”
Embiid’s season averages of 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds are below his career averages of 27.8 points and 11.1 rebounds. But he was starting to find a groove before missing the past six games.
In his most recent game against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 4, Embiid finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in just three quarters of action.
In his last five games, Embiid averaged 30.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, a steal, and a block. He shot 50% from the field, including 56.3% on three-pointers, and 89.5% from the foul line during the stretch. Embiid went 10-for-10 from the foul line on Jan. 4, marking his fourth straight game with at least 10 makes.
Nurse acknowledged the human aspect of injury when discussing Embiid’s latest absence.
“I think that’s always where it starts with any player that has an injury,” he said.” They want to play, and they want to get out there, and they want to perform, right? Then, there’s always degrees of it. He’s a great player, man. Like, [injured] Jared [McCain] was having a great season or whatever you want to throw in there.
“Any of the guys are struggling physically. Nobody wants that, and that’s always the first human component of it.”