{"id":696780,"date":"2026-04-03T23:25:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T23:25:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/696780\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T23:25:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T23:25:18","slug":"76ers-announce-starters-vs-timberwolves-with-joel-embiid-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/696780\/","title":{"rendered":"76ers Announce Starters vs Timberwolves With Joel Embiid Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Joel\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> on Friday, April 3.<\/p>\n

The visitors are coming to South Philly fresh off a loss against the Detroit Pistons<\/a> on Thursday night. Heading into that game, the Timberwolves ruled out their star guard, Anthony Edwards. Lately, Edwards has been dealing with a knee-related concern. An illness is what held him back on Thursday.<\/p>\n

As for the Sixers, they are in a similar boat with their star center, Joel Embiid. Throughout the year, Embiid has battled multiple setbacks. He recently returned from battling an oblique strain. But Embiid\u2019s absence on Wednesday night was the result of an illness that he\u2019s been battling since their Miami Heat<\/a> loss earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

The Sixers bounced back against the Washington Wizards<\/a> on Wednesday. Without Embiid, the Sixers pulled off a 153-131 victory. That victory helped them improve to 42-32, jumping the Toronto Raptors<\/a> in the standings.<\/p>\n

Heading into Friday\u2019s action, the Sixers kept Embiid on the injury report. He was initially listed as doubtful, due to the same illness. However, after he participated in the team\u2019s morning shootaround, the star center was upgraded to probable, suggesting he was ready to return.<\/p>\n

76ers Announce Starting Lineup vs Minnesota Timberwolves
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA \u2013 MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls<\/a> at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The 76ers are starting Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, and Joel Embiid.<\/p>\n

Philly\u2019s star center was cleared to play.<\/p>\n

The final stretch of games will be massive for the Sixers. They know they have a postseason coming up, but making the playoffs is not guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Currently, the Sixers place sixth in the Eastern Conference, having a tie-breaker over the Raptors. If the season ended on Friday, they would punch their ticket to the playoffs, gaining a first-round series against the New York Knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But too much can change in the coming days. The fifth seed is still in play, as the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> have a 1.5-game lead over the Sixers. The Raptors are right there, with the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> still in the hunt, just 1.5 games back from Philly.<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/p>\n

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA \u2013 JANUARY 16: Joel Embiid #21 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

When the Sixers wrap up with the Timberwolves, they\u2019ll get ready to close out a back-to-back with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, April 4. The final four games are against the San Antonio Spurs<\/a>, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n

Including Friday\u2019s action, the final stretch of games for the Sixers involved matchups against four playoff contenders.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJustin Grasso<\/a> Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Sixers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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