The Philadelphia 76ers may be without Joel Embiid for Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics. Their star center did not partake in the Sixers' practice on Saturday, per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.
He reported dealing with soreness in his right side after Thursday's 124-117 win over the Miami Heat. The former league MVP registered 26 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes in the victory. According to Neubeck, Embiid will consult with more doctors on Saturday. His status on Philadelphia's injury report bears monitoring.
After a knee injury compromised the seven-time All-Star last season, he has helped steer the 76ers to a 33-26 record. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. For his part, Embiid is generating 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per contest. He is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and has returned to being virtually automatic from the mid-range.
The 76ers have been here before
Embiid's absence would put more pressure on the Sixers' burgeoning backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to step up. They did so to start the current campaign, propelling the visitors to a come-from-behind win on the TD Garden parquet on opening night.
Maxey, who picked up his fifth foul in the final frame, a quarter where his team trailed by 10, anchored their rally. He finished with 40 points and six assists, both game highs. As for Edgecombe, in his NBA debut, he put 34 points on the board. That's the most by a player in his first game with the Sixers since Wilt Chamberlain scored 43 in 1959, according to ESPN. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists that night.
For the season, Maxey, an All-Star starter this year, is averaging 29.1 points, 6.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. Edgecombe is also providing well-rounded production. The rookie is contributing 15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per tilt.
It's a duo that has already proven they can overcome Joel Embiid's absence, including against Boston, if forced to do so.
Of course, both teams look much different from the way they did on opening night. That's especially true for the Celtics, who are second in the East and have proven capable of representing their conference in the NBA Finals.
Furthermore, all eyes will be on Boston's injury report as the hosts could potentially get Jayson Tatum back as early as Sunday's rivalry clash. That may be rushed, and, as the six-time All-Star recently reiterated, he may not return until next season. However, if he is coming back to help with this year's title pursuit, that date is nearing. It could arrive as quickly as Sunday.