The Philadelphia 76ers will play the first game of their eighth back-to-back of the season on Monday night hosting the Indiana Pacers.
They will take the floor at the Xfinity Mobile Arena for the contest without Paul George. PG was ruled out this evening (after being listed as questionable earlier in the day) for left knee injury management.
Now, Joel Embiid remains the name to watch for Monday night as he remains listed as questionable for left knee injury management and illness. For what it’s worth,
the illness part of the designation did not appear until Monday afternoon. We will keep you posted on his availability as we know more.
George (and possibly Embiid) missing this game shouldn’t come as a terrible shock or worry, though. As mentioned, this is the start of a back-to-back for the Sixers, with the squad right back in action again on Tuesday night to host the Phoenix Suns, a more formidable opponent than the 10-33 Pacers. Neither PG nor Embiid have played on zero days rest this season, so if the Sixers want them in the lineup against the Suns, it would likely mean sidelining them for Monday.
In other availability news, Jared McCain is back with the Sixers after a short — and honestly, lackluster — one-game stint with the G League Delaware Blue Coats. McCain played 30 minutes in a contest against the 15 points on 18 shots in six turnovers in a Coats loss to the Noblesville Bloom. He was recalled to the Sixers on Monday afternoon and is listed as available to face the Pacers.
The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin.
The Sixers and Pacers tip off in South Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET.
