Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers has just confirmed that superstar big man Joel Embiid will be suiting up for the Sixers on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Ben Simmons, on the other hand, will be forced to sit out due to a stomach flu.
This report comes via Tom West of SB Nation:
Doc Rivers says Joel Embiid is good, but Ben Simmons is out today with illness (a stomach bug).
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) February 17, 2021
There was some doubt as to Embiid's status leading up to Wednesday's matchup, with the 26-year-old currently dealing with a back problem that forced him to miss Monday's tilt against Rudy Gobert and a surging Utah Jazz side. With0ut their All-Star big man, the Sixers were unable to contain the Jazz, as Philly ended up on the losing end, 134-123.
Simmons did his very best to try and carry his team to a win against Utah, finishing with 42 points (on 15-of-026 shooting, 12-of-13 from the charity stripe), nine rebounds, 12 assists, a steal, and a block in 38 minutes of play. His heroics proved to be futile, though, as the Jazz still managed to pull off an impressive victory in Utah.
Simmons' injury does not appear to be related to Monday's heavy lifting. Otherwise, it would have been him dealing with a back injury after trying to carry a shorthanded Sixers side to a victory. Put the team on his back — get it?
Be that as it may, Simmons' injury does not appear to be serious. It also doesn't sound COVID-related, so he should be able to return to action sooner rather than later. The Sixers could sure use their two superstars back in action again ASAP, with the team entering Wednesday's game on a three-match losing skid.
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