The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Houston Rockets on Friday and the Sixers will once again be without star center Joel Embiid.
Embiid is still dealing with left knee soreness and hasn't played since the All-Star break.
##Sixers center Joel Embiid will remains out for tomorrow’s game vs. #Rockets.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) March 7, 2019
In 54 games this season for Philly, Embiid is averaging 27.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The two-time All-Star is shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line.
The Sixers are coming off a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Philly enters its matchup against Houston with a record of 41-24, which is good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Sixers are wise to play it safe with Embiid, who missed the first two years of his NBA career. Naturally, some fans are getting impatient, but this is all about preserving Joel for the playoffs.
Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons can carry the load while Embiid is out in the regular season, but the franchise needs a healthy, fresh and engaged Joel Embiid if they want to go on a deep postseason run this year.
Embiid has 48 double-doubles and one triple-double on the season. The Sixers are 36-18 when he’s in the lineup. The organization will continue to update his status moving forward.
Follow Us
Subscribe