The 76ers will be short-handed again on Saturday night, and the injury report leaves Philadelphia with more questions than answers.
LeBron James and Joel Embiid are both out for the game against the Hornets, while Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable after sitting out Friday night’s loss to the Knicks. That comes after the Sixers already dealt with one back-to-back situation last weekend, when James sat out one game and Embiid was ruled out for the second leg.
The team has been managing its stars carefully early on, with a plan to keep James and Embiid around 30 minutes a night during the first few weeks of the season. That approach has been especially important for James, who is 41 and still producing at a high level, and for Embiid, who has spent much of his career navigating injury concerns.
“A day after Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid asked reporters to campaign for him to play in Sunday's game against Detroit -- the second of the Sixers' first back-to-back this season -- the 76ers ruled out Embiid for Sunday night's game against the Detroit Pistons with right foot plantar fasciitis management,” ESPN’s Kris Rhim wrote.
Rhim also posted the latest status update for Saturday’s matchup: “LeBron James (Scatia/low back management) and Joel Embiid (right foot plantar fascia management) are OUT for tonight’s game against the Hornets. Jaylen Brown (left patella) is questionable,”
Philadelphia’s first game without Embiid did not go smoothly, especially on the glass, and the team will have to find a better answer there this time around. With Embiid unavailable again and James out to begin at center, the Sixers may need even more from Tyrese Maxey if Brown can’t go either.
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From the Hornets side, the challenge is familiar enough: they will again be without Kon Knueppel, Coby White, and Grant Williams as they try to piece together a workable lineup. Even in a game packed with missing star power, Charlottes focus has to be on making the most of the opportunity in front of it, because the opening may be unusual but the task is still the same. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Offense Is Becoming A Problem Fans Cant Ignore
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For a team trying to establish any kind of rhythm, this is becoming a real concern. The Hornets have already been part of far too many low-output nights, and the pattern is hard to brush aside when the shots are not falling and the pace of the game never quite turns in their favor. Until that changes, every loss is going to feel bigger than the standings alone would suggest. [Read more 🡒]