Just when it felt like Embiid was healthy and back to full strength, the former MVP will miss a third game in a row Friday with a foot injury, while Paul George has been listed as probable after missing one game with a groin injury and Andre Drummond (toe) will miss his third in a row.
There is currently no timetable on Embiid’s return. His next chance to play is Sunday vs. the Magic. The center ranks second in the NBA in usage rate this season (35.8%), so Embiid’s absence creates a massive void for the 76ers.
Especially with Drummond remaining out Friday, Guerschon Yabusele will continue to see a large workload Friday as Philadelphia’s primary big man. With Embiid and Drummond out for the last two, Yabusele has averaged 17.5 points and nine rebounds in 33.8 minutes per game, resulting in 38.3 FPTS per game. Facing a Pelicans defense that ranks 28th in efficiency, Yabusele will be a great DFS option.
Plus, both George and Maxey will garner larger workloads and bring great upside against New Orleans. In the nine games these two have been active for with Embiid inactive, Maxey has averaged 26 points and 4.8 assists per game with a 30.2% usage rate, while George has handled a 27.4% usage rate and averaged 20.1 points and 5.2 assists per game. Team wise, the 76ers are 4-5 with Maxey and George active, but Embiid out.
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