As the Philadelphia 76ers look to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in an upcoming matchup, the availability status for Paul George and Joel Embiid is a subject of intense discussion and debate.
Will Paul George Suit Up Against the Los Angeles Lakers?
After all, the 76ers acquired George with the hopes of retaining their position as postseason contenders. The team was unable to do the same last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs. While injuries to George and Embiid played a pivotal role in the 76ers’ lack of success, the fanbase hoped for things to be different heading into the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Although the 76ers had a relatively decent start to the season and are currently at 13-9, neither George nor Embiid has been able to remain in the lineup consistently. This has caused many fans to wonder if the same trend will follow in their upcoming game against the Lakers.
The 76ers have been heavily criticized for their lack of postseason success in recent years. After all, the team has failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs, regardless of the stars that have been paired up with Embiid.
Since George is nearing the end of his career, it remains unclear whether he will be able to help the 76ers get the job done. While his presence would undoubtedly be useful in the game against the Lakers, recent injury reports indicate that George is listed as questionable; however, he did participate in a recent team practice.
On the other hand, Embiid missed the same practice, sparking speculation that the star center may not play against the Lakers. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford are also unlikely to participate and are dealing with their own respective injuries.
What Is the Condition of the Los Angeles Lakers?
Since neither George nor Embiid looks fully healthy, the 76ers will not be favored to win this match against the Lakers, who hold the second-best record in the West. However, there is no denying that the Lakers are disoriented in the aftermath of a blowout loss to the Celtics.
LeBron James and Luka Dončić both missed this game against the Celtics, which may reassure the Lakers’ fanbase to some extent. Nevertheless, the injury reports indicate that James continues to experience sciatica and is listed as questionable. On the other hand, Dončić has taken some time off from the team for the birth of his second child, and a return is yet to be announced.
Since the Lakers have created a little room for error with a good start to the season, the 76ers might just be able to steal a win from them, especially if James and Dončić are not on the court.