Joel Embiid will miss the Sixers‘ game against the Magic on Monday due to left knee injury management, reports Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer (via Twitter). It has been reported that Embiid and the Sixers would be cautious with his health, so the move isn’t unexpected after he played in the first two contests of the season.
Embiid scored 20 points in 20 minutes in the Sixers’ most recent game against the Hornets, following a disappointing season debut against the Celtics. Taking advantage of Charlotte’s lack of big man depth, Embiid added four assists and two steals while scoring nine of the team’s first 18 points, writes Pompey.
Embiid, who is currently on a minutes restriction, is still trying to navigate how to be most effective in a more limited role, Pompey writes.
“Longer stints, you’ll actually be able to let the game come to you,” he said. “But then again, longer stints also mean you might be done by halftime. But I can’t sit for too long… being in shape is one thing, but being in basketball shape is another thing. You need to play, and you need to play a lot.”
We have more from the Sixers:
- Dominick Barlow will miss at least the next two games with a laceration to his right elbow that will require a procedure on Monday to address, reports Pompey (via Twitter). Pompey adds that Barlow will be reevaluated later in the week. Barlow was one of the standouts of the Sixers’ preseason, winning the starting power forward job in Paul George‘s absence despite being on a two-way contract. In his season debut against the Celtics, he scored 13 points and added eight rebounds and five assists. He played just under 16 minutes against the Hornets before leaving the game due to the injury.
- Andre Drummond was out of head coach Nick Nurse‘s rotation to open the season, but played arguably his best game as a Sixer against the Hornets, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic (subscriber link). Drummond brought down 13 rebounds in 15 minutes and was instrumental in turning the team’s momentum around, according to Jones. “I’m thrilled that he was able to play so well,” Nurse said. “And now, I’m kind of wondering why I didn’t use him earlier. I knew that I would eventually have to use him again, because Joel was down to just a few minutes in the second half. I was trying to find some spark, and he gave it.“
- Justin Edwards was hoping to build off a strong rookie season, but struggled to carve out a role for himself during Summer League or preseason, writes Kyle Neubeck for PHLY Sports (Twitter link). After scoring nine points in the second half against the Hornets, Edwards revealed that Drummond has been an important confidant, having helped keep him confident and ready for his opportunity. “For a guy like Justin who’s young… who is used to playing big minutes off the year he had last year, coming back now and being out of the rotation… I have him sit next to me every game,” Drummond said. “I said bro, don’t lose yourself in this. It’s a game of runs; it’s a game that changes often. Just stay ready, continue to work, and when your number is called, you’re going to be ready to go.“
Wwll….whatever the Sixers are doing…it seems to be working and I am down with that…it has been epic so far
2 games in and almost lost to Charlotte.
It’s a house of cards. You’ll see…
The only thing I see,…. is that the Sixers are 3 and 0 baby!
I think if Embiid remains healthy, plays 25 minutes a game and shows he’s productive, the Sixers move him at the trade deadline. Only if the backcourt of Grimes, Maxey Edgecombe, continue to light it up. Not sure what they could get, but Drummond and Bona could hold down the fort. Possibly pry Markanen from Utah with a package of picks and Paul George. I think this team is going to look really different at the deadline or certainly next year .
Philly 6:
What in the world would Utah want with Paul George?
They want draft picks..George is a throw in
Philly 6:
I don’t think you understand how this works. George is not a throw in. George is a negative asset. That means the 76ers would not get any assets back because nobody wants George’s contract. In fact, the 76ers have to be the ones to give draft picks to get rid of George’s contract.
Bro nobody in the NBA is traded for embiid they are two year too late. The extension killed any trade offer. You’re not going to take a guy making 55 to 60 million who can only play 25 minutes. Doesn’t play down low anymore and will only get you two. Rebounds. He will be a negative on the court. Pretty much for the rest of his career.
Embid and George’s contracts, age and injury history make them untradeable. No one wants them now. The best the Sixers can hope for is either they are serviceable or they retire.
Yall don’t have enough talent to give another team in order for them to want either of those contracts let alone get anything of value in return.
The NBA needs David Stern back. Maybe something can be done
I’m sure Edgecombe & Maxey can will the team….
Why would any team trade for Embiid’s contract today?
They wouldn’t.
You literally couldn’t give Embiid away today.
This is why armchair gms suck. If the 76ers decided to “give” Embiid away, every single team would be interested.
Injuries are a real thing. 20 points in 20 minutes and some of you are spouting retire? This site has the most ignorant fans
Your take is delusional. With the new salary cap rules nobody wants that contract liability.
So I’m ignorant because you’re making up your own fantasy rules in order to give away a player that nobody wants under the real rules? LOL
Otto:
When he says they can’t give Embiid away, we all know not to interpret that as meaning him playing for free. That means you couldn’t get anything of value in a trade for him. And it means that teams wouldn’t even be willing to take him even if it meant giving him away for no players in return in a trade because no team will take his contract. That’s pretty understood terminology.
Otto:
When someone says you couldn’t give him away they mean you couldn’t give his contract away. Come on we all know that.