76ers on track to get Joel Embiid back vs. Suns
Nov 7, 2022, 9:07 AM
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is trending in the positive direction toward making a return against the Phoenix Suns on Monday after he missed three games with the flu.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported Sunday that Embid went through a full practice that included a scrimmage, then added 25 minutes afterwards playing 3-on-3 to push his cardio load up.
“He looked good,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers told reporters, according to Pompey. “I mean listen, he had the flu and it’s hard. Your lungs are burning and he [still] looked pretty good.”
“I’m going to go 75%,” Rivers said about Embiid’s chances of playing Monday.
The official injury report as of Monday morning lists Embiid and forward Danuel House Jr. as questionable with non-COVID illness. Listed as out are James Harden (right foot tendon strain), as well as G League-assigned youngsters in Jaden Springer, Michael Foster Jr. and Julian Champagnie.
Philadelphia (4-6) has lost its last two games, at home against the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks.
Without Embiid, third-year guard Tyrese Maxey has led the team in scoring with 28, 32 and 31 points over the last three games, respectively. The center’s return will likely thrust the offensive load back on his shoulders, even though Embiid has led the team in scoring in just two of the team’s first 10 games.
Still, Embiid is averaging 27.2 points (eighth-most in the NBA), as well as 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game.
For the Suns (7-2), point guard Cam Payne is questionable (left foot soreness).
Cam Johnson (right meniscus tear), Jae Crowder (not with team), Ish Wainright (personal) and Duane Washington Jr. (personal) are listed as out.
Phoenix is coming off a 102-82 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
Tip-off between the Suns and 76ers is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST Monday on Arizona Sports 98.7, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.
