Joel Embiid has been sidelined against the Magic (Image via NBA) Joel Embiid will not play in Monday’s regular-season game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. Due to “injury management,” the Sixers center is out, and the team will play back-to-back nights. Given his history of injuries, Philadelphia won’t put Embiid’s health at further risk by playing him on back-to-back nights. His playing time was limited during their season-opening victory.
Joel Embiid’s sudden absence raises fresh doubts as Philadelphia 76ers juggle injuries and rotation woes
Embiid will not play in Monday’s matchup with the Magic. In order to treat his left knee, Embiid will miss the first leg of the 76ers’ back-to-back, possibly making a comeback for Tuesday’s game against the Wizards. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond will split up the center’s responsibilities in his absence on Monday.His playing time has also been limited keeping his health concerns in mind. When they played the Charlotte Hornets in game two on Saturday night, they repeated the feat. According to head coach Nick Nurse, Embiid would have played roughly 20 minutes. The former league MVP has played in both of the previous two games despite being limited to 20 minutes to begin the season. With a commanding performance in a little number of minutes, he was outstanding against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday and laid the groundwork for the Sixers’ 125-121 victory.He made 7 of 11 from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and finished with 20 points in 20 minutes. After a solid performance on Saturday, Joel Embiid expressed his displeasure with the current minutes restriction placed on him. “The longer I sit, the shorter stints, you play 2-3 minutes and you gotta get out, that’s literally nothing.. I might as well just stay home and be with my family. Longer stints, you’re able to let the game come to you.”Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe had outstanding outings in the season-opening victory over the Celtics, in which Embiid played 20 minutes. As 76ers supporters watched Embiid struggle to leap and move, they expressed instant concerns on social media about the long-term health of his knees.Meanwhile, four more Sixers players will join Joel Embiid on the bench. Additionally ruled out are Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration), Paul George (left knee surgery recovery), Jared McCain (right thumb surgery recovery), and Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain).
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The Sixers excluded the following four players in addition to Embiid. McCain, Watford, and George have not yet started the season. Barlow missed the second half due to his injury on Saturday. He had been the Sixers’ starting power forward to start the regular season and a bright spot in the preseason.
Embiid’s playing time has been limited as well (Image via NBA)
Dominick Barlow is set to miss at least the next two games due to his elbow injury. According to a team official, Barlow had surgery on Sunday and is not expected to play in the back-to-back games. Later this week, he will have another evaluation. Paul George is down with his knee issue and has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Magic. Trendon Watford on the other hand, has been sidelined due his hamstring injury and has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Magic. Also read: Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe meets NBA legend Dwyane Wade in surreal full-circle moment at Aramis event