The Philadelphia 76ers, sitting at 32-26, are gearing up to host the Miami Heat (31-28) at Xfinity Mobile Arena this Thursday night. Riding the wave of victories over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, the Sixers are looking to keep their momentum rolling.
Joel Embiid is listed as probable, managing some right knee recovery and shin soreness. His presence is vital, especially with Paul George sidelined due to a league suspension. The Heat are also grappling with their own injury woes, adding another layer of complexity to this matchup.
The Heat recently stumbled against the Milwaukee Bucks but have shown resilience with three wins in their last four games. This sets the stage for a pivotal clash, with both teams eyeing crucial playoff positioning.
Embiid’s return is a significant boost for Philadelphia. After missing five games, he made a strong comeback against Indiana, scoring 27 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out five assists on 11-17 shooting.
The Sixers currently hold the sixth seed in the East, just 1.5 games ahead of the eighth-seeded Heat. A win for Miami would secure the head-to-head tiebreaker, having won their first meeting in November.
Apart from George, the Sixers will also miss Johni Broome and Kelly Oubre Jr., while MarJon Beauchamp is doubtful. On the other side, the Heat’s injury list is extensive, which could impact their performance.
Injury Report:
- Joel Embiid: Probable (Right Knee; Injury Management / Right Shin Soreness)
- Paul George: Out (League Suspension)
- Johni Broome: Out (Right Knee; Meniscus Tear)
- MarJon Beauchamp: Doubtful (G League - Two-Way)
- Kelly Oubre Jr.: Available (Left Knee; Injury Recovery - Brace)
- Davion Mitchell: Questionable (Head; Illness)
- Terry Rozier: Out (Not With Team)
- Nikola Jovic: Out (Lower Back; Injury Management)
- Tyler Herro: Available (Right Costochondral; Injury to the Ribs)
- Keshad Johnson: Available (Left Knee; Soreness)
- Pelle Larsson: Available (Left 3rd Mallet; Finger)
- Norman Powell: Available (Low Back; Tightness)
- Dru Smith: Available (Left Calf; Soreness)
- Andrew Wiggins: Available (Left Toe; Inflammation)
This game promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams fighting for a stronger foothold in the playoff race. With Embiid likely on the court, Philadelphia fans can expect a thrilling showdown.