Well, the bad news is that the Philadelphia 76ers will not have Joel Embiid available on Wednesday. The good news is that they’re playing a Washington Wizards team that has only won one of their last 20 contests.
Embiid appeared on the Sixers’ injury report late Wednesday morning being ruled out for the contest due to illness. The team’s only other unavailable player is Johni Broome, who is out for the season after having knee surgery.
Embiid mentioned after the Sixers’ last contest — their Monday
loss to the Miami Heat — that he was sick already throughout that game. He added that it physically was affecting him and Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin said it looked like he had some cold medicine in his pocket.
Despite being sick, Embiid still put up 26 points on Monday in 34 minutes on 10-for-25 field goal and 2-for-6 three-point shooting with seven rebounds, three assists and a block in the loss.
Even considering the tight Eastern Conference race, though, it makes sense for the Sixers to let Embiid rest for this one if he’s ill, especially if it would affect his performance again. Frankly, this is a game the Sixers should genuinely not need Embiid for. The Wizards are the worst team in the NBA and, again, have one a single contest of their last 20. There is zero excuse for a team with Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, VJ Edgecombe and others to lose to them.
I’m not saying they won’t lose… but they just really wouldn’t have a valid excuse to, even with Embiid sidelined.
The Sixers and Wizards tip off at 7 p.m. ET.
