Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe to miss Sunday’s home game vs. Detroit Pistons
Embiid has not played both games of a back-to-back in recent seasons to manage his health. LeBron James, however, is not listed on the injury report.
Joel Embiid will miss the 76ers’ home game against the Detroit Pistons Sunday night to manage plantar fasciitis, according to the NBA’s injury report.
VJ Edgecombe, meanwhile, also is out Sunday with an abdominal bruise sustained after taking an inadvertent knee during Saturday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Edgecombe was walking gingerly inside the Sixers’ locker room during the pregame period open to the media and was dealing with soreness, coach Nick Nurse said.
Embiid’s absence is not a surprise with the Sixers (3-0) on the second night of a back-to-back set. Embiid has not played both games of a back-to-back in recent seasons to manage his health, including multiple knee surgeries.
Embiid, though, quipped following Saturday’s win over the Bucks that the assembled media should “start writing articles and put pressure on [the medical team and management] so they’ll let me play.”
» READ MORE: Joel Embiid records triple-double in Sixers’ double-digit victory over Milwaukee Bucks
Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player, has looked far more like himself to start this season. He recorded a triple-double in Saturday’s win (28 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and has been more impactful on the defensive end.
LeBron James, who missed Saturday’s win to manage sciatica, is not listed on the injury report. Reserve big man Jabari Walker is out due to left knee soreness after sustaining that injury during Saturday’s game.
That means the Sixers’ center options Sunday include Adem Bona, who has struggled in the early season, and the undersized Dean Wade, and James. Ariel Hukporti, who was expected to compete for the backup center job after signing as a free agent, tore his Achilles in the preseason opener. Dominick Barlow, a small-ball option at the position, also remains out with a back issue.
Beat reporters Gina Mizell and Chris Hine break down their most intriguing quotes from LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey during the preseason, along with what they most hope to learn about this revamped roster during the first month of the season. Watch here.
Watch the full interview below and subscribe to the Sixers Extra podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
