The Philadelphia 76ers will be without their star big man on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second of three scrimmage games down in Orlando.
All-Star Joel Embiid is dealing with some discomfort in his right calf and that is something that the team does not want to play with so they will hold him out of Sunday’s game. While it is disappointing that the big man can’t play and it is something that can be frustrating for the Sixers, the team wants to be careful with this injury and be sure he is ready for the regular-season games.
“It’s [the] second game. I feel that it’s an opportunity, truly, to play Al (Horford) more,” said coach Brett Brown. “To put him with some different groups. I think if this happened three or four games into what we’re calling the regular season, there’s always frustration and I know frustration at times with Joel. Initially, just trying to be smart with everything and move on.”
Due to the fact that it is only the second scrimmage game, the Sixers do not want to push Embiid this early. These games do not count against their record and the important thing right now is to make sure their guys are healthy and ready to roll when the time comes.
“I believe we’re just getting out in front of stuff and being smart with it,” Brown added.
#Sixers Brett Brown on not having Joel Embiid today due to his right-calf tightness. pic.twitter.com/exn8lzZwAR
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) July 26, 2020
Philadelphia and Oklahoma City tip-off at 12:00 p.m. EST from the HP Field House in Orlando. [lawrence-related id=35485,35475,35449]