The Philadelphia 76ers received some encouraging news on the injury front Monday afternoon as star big man Joel Embiid is officially listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
The big man has missed the last nine games with a torn radial collateral ligament in his finger, an injury he sustained on January 6 against the Thunder. Embiid finished that game, but later had surgery to repair the injury.
It was yet another setback for Embiid and complicated things for a Sixers team that has demonstrated frustrating inconsistency over the first half of the season. As a result, instead of competing for the top seed in the East, the Sixers find themselves battling a handful of teams for spots two through six.
Zhaire Smith did not participate in practice today. He’s questionable for tomorrow.
Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for tomorrow. He will see the hand surgeon who did the procedure tomorrow before the game to see if he can go tomorrow. #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 27, 2020
As Sixers Wire’s own Ky Carlin notes, Embiid will see the doctor who performed his surgery on Tuesday to determine if he will be able to go against the Warriors.
The Sixers have gone 6-3 in Embiid’s absence, with Ben Simmons picking up the slack in a big way. Still, getting Embiid back will be a welcomed result for the team as it tries to find its grove, make a push up the standings, and get rolling for what it hopes will be a legitimate title run.
Embiid is averaging 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks this season and was just named to his third straight All-Star team.
Regardless if Embiid makes his return Tuesday, Monday’s news indicates he will be back on the floor sooner than later, and that is good news for the Sixers.