It took two games for a Joel Embiid injury update, but this one doesn’t seem too serious.
The Sixers released their injury report ahead of their upcoming matchup against the Orlando Magic, and Embiid appeared on it for the first time this season. He’s been ruled out for that game, with the listed reason being “injury management.” Dominick Barlow, who left the previous game with an elbow laceration, has also been ruled out along with Paul George, Trendon Watford, and Jared McCain.
It’s not a surprise at all to see Embiid ruled out for a game that is the first leg of a back-to-back, but it’s a bit different to see him ruled out for the home game of that set. The Sixers will head down to Washington to take on the Wizards the following day. Embiid has almost always played the home game when faced with such a choice.
It is very possible that the Sixers are picking the easier matchup as Embiid is trying to play himself into shape. No one would argue that Orlando’s group of bigs led by Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. pose a much more physical and challenging matchup than the young group of the Wizards.
There’s also the possibility that Embiid’s knee isn’t feeling great after two games of action and he’ll miss both of these upcoming games. The injury management designation does throw cold water on that, but that’ll be a fear for Embiid until his body is able to prove otherwise. That answer is still a couple days away before that injury report is due for the Sixers.
