The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for a challenging back-to-back road stint, starting with a clash against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. It's been a tough stretch for the Sixers, as they've been navigating the absence of two of their marquee players, Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Paul George's absence isn't catching anyone off guard. He's currently serving a suspension handed down by the NBA, sidelining him until late March.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is dealing with familiar knee soreness, which kept him off the court before the All-Star break. Upon the team's return, Embiid missed their first game back against the Atlanta Hawks, with a new shin injury adding to his woes.
76ers vs Pelicans Injury Report
76ers:
- Joel Embiid - OUT (Knee Injury Management/Shin Soreness)
- Paul George - OUT (Suspension)
- **Kelly Oubre Jr.
** - AVAILABLE (Knee Injury Management)
- MarJon Beauchamp - DOUBTFUL (G League)
- Johni Broome - DOUBTFUL (G League)
The Sixers made it clear on Friday night that Embiid would be sitting out against the Pelicans, marking his fourth consecutive missed game. Head coach Nick Nurse mentioned on Thursday that while the team is taking Embiid's situation day-by-day, they don't anticipate a lengthy absence. With Saturday's game against the Pelicans, the team is hopeful for Embiid's potential return on Sunday in Minnesota, though he's not yet cleared for action.
Pelicans: The Pelicans are wrapping up their own back-to-back set, having faced the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, where they suffered a 139-118 defeat. The injury report from that game offers some insights into their current lineup challenges.
- DeJounte Murray is nearing his season debut but remains on the injury list.
- Micah Peavy is out with a toe injury.
- Yves Missi is managing a calf strain.
- Trey Murphy is recovering from a shoulder injury, having missed his first game in over a month.
His status will be crucial for Saturday's matchup.
As both teams contend with significant player absences, Saturday night's game promises to test their depth and resilience. The Sixers will need to rely on their supporting cast to step up in the absence of their stars, while the Pelicans look to bounce back from a tough loss.