Nick Nurse didn’t sign up for an easy ride when he took the reins in Philadelphia, and the 2025 season has reminded us of that on a near-nightly basis. The Sixers head coach is juggling one of the NBA’s most unpredictable rotations, with injuries and illness constantly reshaping his lineup. And with another marquee matchup looming, it looks like he’ll be reaching back into his bag of adjustments once again.
Saturday night’s showdown against the Dallas Mavericks is already missing one headliner. Paul George has been ruled out due to left knee injury management-a move that makes sense given he played in Friday’s 116-107 win over the Knicks. But the bigger question mark surrounds Joel Embiid, who’s once again listed on the injury report.
Embiid missed Friday’s game at Madison Square Garden due to illness and right knee management. While the NBA Cup break gave him a bit of extra time to recover, there’s still no clear signal that he’s ready to return. As of now, he’s officially listed as doubtful for the Mavericks game, and that’s got Sixers fans holding their breath.
This isn’t just about one game-it’s about how the Sixers manage their superstar’s health over a long season. Embiid’s presence on the injury report has become a regular occurrence, and while that’s not exactly surprising for a player with his size and history, it’s still a challenge for a team trying to find rhythm in a deep Eastern Conference.
When he’s been on the floor, Embiid has shown flashes of his MVP-caliber self-but not consistently. He’s averaging 20.5 points on 42.1% shooting from the field and just 22.6% from beyond the arc.
Those numbers are solid for most players, but they’re well below the standard Embiid has set over his career. Add in 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game in just 26.2 minutes a night, and it’s clear the Sixers are keeping him on a tight leash.
That minute count is more than five fewer than his career average, a clear sign that the team is prioritizing long-term health over short-term results. Still, the Sixers are 15-11 and trying to build momentum. They need Embiid not just available, but impactful-and soon.
If Embiid doesn’t suit up, it’ll mark his 16th missed game of the season. And while the Sixers have managed to stay competitive without him at times, there’s no replacing what he brings on both ends of the floor. Especially in a potential battle with a frontcourt like Dallas’, where the presence of Anthony Davis (if he plays) would have made for one of the night’s most intriguing matchups.
For now, all eyes are on the Sixers’ medical staff and the pregame injury updates. Nurse has proven he can adapt on the fly, but there’s no question this team is built around Embiid. The Sixers can shuffle lineups, lean on George (when healthy), and get creative with rotations-but if they want to make real noise in the East, it starts with their big man being on the floor, consistently and at full strength.