The Philadelphia 76ers will be taking on the Orlando Magic on Monday, but will do so without Joel Embiid. The former MVP has been ruled out for the matchup due to injury management, making it the first game he has missed this season.
Embiid will join Paul George, Jared McCain and Trendon Watford on the injured list while two-way forward Dominick Barlow, who has started both games for the Sixers, joins the list of players sidelined.
There is legitimate concern surrounding Embiid’s health after he played a career-low 19 games last season without ever looking like himself. He underwent another knee surgery this summer, which marked two in the span of 18 months, to attempt to get back to full strength.
The Sixers have a game plan for managing him this season with them sticking firm to a 20-minute limit in the opening two games. Embiid struggled in the first game and clocked out with just four points, six rebounds and two assists while struggling to show much mobility or verticality. The two-time scoring champion looked more encouraging in his second game, finishing with 20 points, four assists and two rebounds in 20 minutes.
Monday’s matchup against the Magic marks the first half of a back-to-back for the Sixers. They play at home on Monday and in Washington on Tuesday against the Wizards. The Sixers are prioritizing Embiid’s health by giving him an additional day off before he returns to the floor.
The Sixers are off to a 2-0 start thanks to the team’s young guards. Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes will keep leading the offense in Embiid’s absence. The seven-time All-Star’s status will likely be one to monitor all season long.
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