The Philadelphia 76ers have faced significant adversity this season, including injuries and the suspension of Paul George. Still, the 76ers are hanging onto a top-6 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference for the time being. The Sixers will have some important roster decisions to make over the All-Star break, and those choices will likely have a major impact on whether they are a playoff team.

76ers Ink Former First-Round Pick, Still Have Important Decisions That Will Impact Rest Of Season

Philadelphia dropped to 30-23 on the season after last night’s 135-118 blowout loss at Portland. The 76ers, who entered the game against the Trail Blazers having won 6 of 7, were extremely shorthanded last night as Joel Embiid, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow joined George on the sidelines.

As a result, Justin Edwards, Kyle Lowry, and MarJon Beauchamp got considerable run in the game. Beachamp, making his Sixers debut, played  20 minutes while Lowry saw action in a season-high 18 minutes in just his seventh game of the season.

Grimes sat out due to the game versus Portland after being a late addition to the injury report due to illness. Barlow was also sick while Embiid missed the game due to injury management. Grimes and Barlow should be available on Wednesday versus New York. However, Embiid will likely sit out again to ensure he is healthy for the stretch run, though he is officially listed as questionable.

“Injury report for tomorrow vs. Knicks: QUESTIONABLE: Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Quentin Grimes (illness), Dominick Barlow (illness),” Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire tweeted.

Speaking of the all-star break, the time off will give 76ers president of basketball operations Darryl Morey time to plug some roster holes. While the Sixers are technically carrying 17 players, Charles Bassey and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are on 10-day deals that will expire over the break. 

Bassey, on his second 10-day deal, has yet to play for the 76ers. His present 10-day contract is set to expire on February 15.  Meanwhile, Baldwin Jr. saw only two minutes in his lone appearance, and his deal will also end on February 15. Additionally, with George having served five of the 25-game suspension, he has been moved to the league’s suspended list.