Sixers stars Paul George (left knee bone bruise) and Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) will remain out for the team’s game on Wednesday vs. Houston, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer relays (Twitter link).
While George was a partial participant in Tuesday’s practice, Embiid, Kyle Lowry (right hip strain), and Caleb Martin (low back soreness) didn’t take part at all. Lowry will join Embiid and George as unavailable for Wednesday’s contest; Martin will be listed as questionable to suit up.
George told reporters, including Pompey (Twitter link), that he hopes to return within the next week. After hosting the Rockets on Wednesday, the 76ers will head out on a brief two-game road trip to Detroit on Saturday and Charlotte on Tuesday before returning home next Wednesday to face Orlando. Based on George’s comments, it sounds like he’ll try to make it back for one of those back-to-back games next Tuesday and Wednesday.
A return timeline for Embiid remains unclear.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The Sixers signed Embiid to a three-year, maximum-salary extension this past offseason that will keep him under contract through at least 2028, with a 2028/29 player option projected to be worth north of $69MM. The move was viewed by the 76ers at the time as a “no-brainer,” writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, but given the way this season has played out so far, it’s fair to wonder if the club will come to regret that investment, Pompey acknowledges.
- On Saturday, OG Anunoby scored 27 points, his highest total since joining the Knicks nearly a year ago. On Monday, he dwarfed that total by pouring in a career-high 40 points in a win over Denver. “I’ve never been on a team like this before,” Anunoby said after New York scored 145 points and tied a franchise record with 45 assists, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. “… It’s cool to score 40 points, but it’s better to win. What did we win by, 20-something? I’m happier about that.” Anunoby spoke earlier this month about wanting to be known as a standout “two-way player” rather than just a defender. His recent performances have certainly helped make that case.
- Within a grab-bag article about various Raptors-related topics, Eric Koreen of The Athletic considers whether big man Chris Boucher will have any value as an in-season trade chip. Boucher is averaging 11.2 points per game, the second-best mark of his career, and the team is 4.4 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the court. Koreen suggests that Boucher, who is earning $10.81MM on an expiring contract, could potentially bring back a second-round pick or two, along with matching salary.
45 assists is insane in a 48 minute game. Kudos to the Knicks for having a well executed game plan offensively.
Sixers must shut Embiid down soon, and for as long as it takes to completely recover.
The ongoing uncertainty about his availability points to either a more serious injury than originally thought or a lack of honesty by the Sixers.
He’s had knee problems dating back to at least 2016/17 (particularly his left knee) – it’s probably a pipe dream for him to “completely recover”. He is who he is at this point.
Cam – I wasn’t suggesting “recovery” to the point of his 22 year old body. The goal is to minimize the damage with each procedure, while maximizing availability. The 76ers committed $300M to Embiid 9 months ago fully understanding his medical condition.
Current reports point to Embiid’s lack of honesty, both with others and with himself, about the state of his injuries and recovery, resulting in a “setback”. Now, it’s time for Embiid and the 76ers to get real.
Whole heartedly agree – where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire, regarding Embiid’s transparency. He seems to be burning bridges publicly and privately – a disaster scenario considering how much Philly have tied to him, both in terms of money and gameplan.
You also can’t recover from your ego being too heavy for your body. Embiid’s case of that is terminal.
Jojo and Podcast P with shot knees …. who would’ve thought.
Where’s @teacher at?
i do believe that embiid has some sort of injury but there is a disconnect somewhere
So all this talk, noise. About Sixers having best off season. Even being ranked ahead of Knicks in preseason. Just shows us all. How uninformed basketball media is. They have no clue of reality.
Like their GM ………
Post. “… It’s cool to score 40 points, but it’s better to win. What did we win by, 20-something? I’m happier about that.” Anunoby spoke” ………..
Unfortunately most can’t see a 2Way player. This team is taking Thibs lead. Building a winner . Building something that is special. Still waiting on Mikal to break out. And Precious to play …..
Still early ……..
It would be hard to imagine Knicks not pulling it together. They are too experienced and competitive a group.
But I’m not seeing a Championship caliber team here. They’ll be a tough out, but Boston has way too much talent for them.
This is nowhere near a finished product. Offense is way ahead of Defense right now. This team is built to win. With Previous and Mitch on board. They can be a top team in East. Celtics will have final say about that. But I like where this is and its building. Nothing is given. Knicks will have to prove it, Thibs 5th yr here.
Al, well said.
Question: with the benefit of hindsight, which of these rosters would you favor:
1. Hartenstein, Randle, Robinson, DeVincenzo, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Brunson
2. Towns, Robinson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Brunson
IMO, the first group is deeper, tougher, better defensively, more versatile, and much more likely to win a 7 game playoff than the first.
Boucher skillset is so underrated, he’s a perfect role player imo. He knows his role, and can give you pretty much everything.
Boucher is a nice piece in a small ball lineup, but he is too light to defend true bigs.
I trust the process…. First we got PG13, now we tank for Cooper Flagg.
Embiid rests all year. George plays half the year. Maxey paces. McCain balls out. Go for the Chip next year.
That’s the spirit.
Every year, the SIXERS going for it next year.
Just a lost season for Sixers. Tank it and hope for the best. This is ridiculous. Embiid should just sit out.
Wonder what the market is for Embiid and PG.
Both are old, banged up and tied to a lot of money.
It’s all great to think tank for Cooper, rebuild around McCain and Maxey etc etc but in reality, it’s going to take years for the Sixers to actually have something which resembles a good looking team again, IMO.
Embiid has an attitude problem, PG is just old and those are two things you can’t change. Even with perfect health there’s no way we do well in the playoffs. We don’t have an answer for Giannas or Tatum. Nor the perimeter defence for a Brunson or Lillard type situation. Then don’t even get started with depth.
Honestly I’d be taking picks and expring deals for these two and starting fresh if that’s on the table but they would be career suicide for Brand and Morey so don’t expect any changes this season
NBA has 3 franchises that will torture their fans for the next 4 seasons, each with perennially injured superstars on untradable max contracts:
1. Sixers with Embiid and George.
2. Pelicans with Zion.
3. Clippers with Kahwi
When healthy, their teams look like contenders. But, every season, the inevitable injuries shatter fans’ hopes. Thinking that these players will be more, as opposed to less, available in the future is unreasonable.