Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will not play on Wednesday night against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers in the second leg of a back-to-back, according to ESPN. This decision comes after Embiid made his season debut just a day earlier in the 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks. It’s not an unexpected move, considering Embiid’s prior statement that he didn’t envision himself ever playing both games of a back-to-back again during his career.
Embiid, who missed the first nine games of the season due to “left knee management” and a subsequent three-game suspension for a locker-room incident, expressed a desire to play in the matchup against the 12-0 Cavaliers. However, despite his eagerness, Embiid deferred to the team’s medical staff to make the final call.
“I know I said I wouldn’t play back-to-backs, but I’m a troll,” Embiid joked during an interview. “I feel good, so we’ll see, but it’s ultimately up to them.”
Although Embiid was optimistic about his condition, he acknowledged the importance of following the team’s medical guidance. “I can push for it, but it’s their decision,” he said, reflecting on the team’s cautious approach.
In addition to Embiid, the 76ers will also be without Paul George for Wednesday’s game, further depleting their roster. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey remains sidelined for at least another week as well. Despite initial messaging this season that neither Embiid nor George would play in both games of back-to-backs, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse mentioned after the Knicks game that the situation was still fluid.
The 76ers, sitting at a 2-8 record, are struggling to find their rhythm, particularly with their stars frequently sidelined. With Embiid and George both unavailable for this game, Philadelphia could be in for another tough night, especially against a high-performing Cavaliers team.
However, the Eastern Conference has been relatively weak this season, with only Cleveland and Boston boasting winning records. While the 76ers face challenges, they are not alone in their struggles, and there’s still time to rebound as the season progresses.
