It looks like we are back to the normal back-to-back staggering. The Sixers released their injury report for their upcoming contest against the Indiana Pacers, and have ruled out Joel Embiid with plantar fasciitis management in his right foot. LeBron James, who missed the most recent game against the Toronto Raptors, is not listed and will be good to go.
Nick Nurse said that the only reason James missed that win against the Raptors was the team’s long term load management, so nothing to be concerned
about there. The Sixers will get a little bit more rest than your typical home-road back-to-back. They play the Pacers at 1 p.m. on Sunday before heading up to Brooklyn to take on the Nets Monday. Perhaps there’s a chance LeBron plays in both, but Embiid being ruled out for one of them suggests not.
With Embiid out, LeBron may log a lot of minutes at center again. Adem Bona also remains out with the cervical spine sprain he suffered back in Detroit, as well as Dominick Barlow, who the team says they do not have a timeline for his return.
For Indiana, they’ll obviously be without Tyrese Haliburton who’s missed a significant amount of time with a hamstring strain. Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are also on the shelf with knee injuries. T.J. McConnell is listed as probable with a hamstring strain and Aaron Nesmith is questionable with a hand sprain. Both played their cup win over the New York Knicks last Friday.
