The Sixer’s expect Joel Embiid to return from right calf tightness in Saturday’s seeding game against the Indiana Pacers for the NBA Restart.
What We Know:
- Embiid first experienced discomfort in his right calf during Friday’s victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. He played only 12 minutes and 57 seconds. He missed Sunday’s game for precautionary reasons and was considered day to day.
- Sixer’s head coach Brett Brown said late Tuesday that he expects Embiid to play in Saturday’s opener against the Indiana Pacers. Embiid missed the final two scrimmages due to his right calf tightness. “That’s my expectation,” Brown stated. “I am always sort of receiving news from our medical staff. But that is my expectation.”
- The Sixer’s also have reserve forward Glenn Robinson III (left hip pointer) and guard Raul Neto (lower back tightness) out and they missed the Sixer’s final exhibition games. They both remain day to day at the moment.
- Embiid averaged 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists before the NBA shutdown in March. He missed nine games due to a torn ligament in his right hand. He was sidelined five more games with a left shoulder sprain and was out two games because of left knee soreness.
- Injuries have been a common reoccurrence for the 26-year-old, who has never played more than 64 games in a season since he was drafted in 2014. He only played 44 games before the season ended due to COVID-19. Every time he seems to move past one obstacle, another obstacle returns. His absence, left a significant hole for Philly, who now has two more players being cautioned due to injuries.
With Embiid’s expected return, things may just be looking up for the Sixer’s run in Orlando.
