Following a three-game road trip, the Philadelphia 76ers will finish the 2023-24 regular season with three home games. The first one comes against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM EST. As the Sixers try to extend their winning streak to six games, there is an important injury update to watch out for. Is Joel Embiid playing tonight?
Is 76ers' Joel Embiid playing vs. Pistons?
Joel Embiid was initially listed as “questionable — left knee injury recovery” on the NBA injury report. The superstar center missed the 76ers' last game, a double-overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs that came on the second night of a back-to-back, as he works his way back from a meniscus injury. He played in the prior three games after missing two months of action, hoping that he can get his legs under him as the playoffs approach.
Fortunately, prior to Tuesday's tip-off, Embiid was upgraded to available, per Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 76ers are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and are just one game back of the Indiana Pacers for the sixth seed, which would allow them to escape the play-in tournament. Philly has a chance at competing with anyone in the playoffs but hopes to secure a berth without playing an extra game. Remaining in seventh place, at least, will give the Sixers homecourt advantage in the play-in. But with the Miami Heat just half of a game back of them, they have to continue winning.
De'Anthony Melton (back; lumbar spine bone stress) has been upgraded to available as well after missing the 76ers' last 21 games. However, Tyrese Maxey (left hip tightness) and Kyle Lowry (left knee effusion) have been ruled out, along with Robert Covington. Tobias Harris (left knee contusion) is also available.
For the Pistons, the following players have been ruled out: Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Simone Fontecchio, Quentin Grimes and Stanley Udume.
And so as for the question of whether Joel Embiid will play tonight against the Pistons, the answer is YES!