Joel Embiid to Sit Through All-Star Break, Will Be Reevaluated Next Week
joel-embiid-injury-update-recheck-after-all-star-break
The Philadelphia 76ers have ruled center Joel Embiid out of Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks because of right knee soreness, the team said. The absence is Embiid’s second in a row.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the 76ers plan to reevaluate the knee after All-Star weekend, giving the reigning MVP roughly a week to rest before a possible return.
Beat writer Kyle Neubeck reported that the club is not overly concerned about the injury, a view echoed by The Athletic’s Tony Jones, who described the decision as precautionary. “It’s bothering him enough that he’s not playing,” head coach Nick Nurse told reporters, adding that the knee is “improving a little bit” but not enough for Embiid to suit up Tuesday.
Despite preseason questions about his workload, Embiid has appeared in 31 games for the 30-23 Sixers, averaging 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 31.4 minutes—up across the board from last season’s 19-game campaign.
With Embiid sidelined in Monday’s loss to Portland, Andre Drummond started and finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Rookie Adem Bona handled the backup minutes and is slated to start against the Knicks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
