Sixers-Hornets Tipoff Moved Up as Winter Storm Blankets Philly - Embiid Out with Knee Injury
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Monday matchup against the Charlotte Hornets is getting an earlier start than expected - and it’s not because of any on-court drama. With a powerful winter storm sweeping across the Northeast and impacting millions, the NBA has adjusted its schedule, moving tipoff at Xfinity Mobile Arena up to 3 p.m.
ET. The game was originally slated for 7 p.m.
This isn’t an isolated move either. The league also bumped up the Indiana Pacers-Atlanta Hawks clash to 1:30 p.m. Monday, citing similar weather concerns.
For the Sixers, the timing change is just one of several challenges they’re juggling. They’re coming off a tough 112-109 loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday - a game that saw Joel Embiid pour in 38 points in a losing effort.
But that performance came at a cost. Embiid will sit out Monday’s game due to a left knee injury, a blow for a team looking to stabilize its footing in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers will also be without Paul George, who’s sidelined for left knee injury management. With both stars out, Philly will need to lean heavily on its supporting cast to carry the load against a Hornets squad that’s hungry for a win.
A Storm to Remember in Philly
While the Sixers are adjusting on the hardwood, the city of Philadelphia is still digging out. According to the National Weather Service, the city has already been hit with 9.1 inches of snow - making this the most significant snowstorm in Philly in the last ten years. For comparison, the last time the city saw this kind of snowfall was in 2016, when a massive storm dumped 22.4 inches.
Neighboring areas like Allentown in the Lehigh Valley were hit even harder, with some spots reporting around a foot of snow.
Cold Snap Coming
And if you thought the snow was the end of it, think again. Forecasters are calling for a serious drop in temperatures over the next week. Starting Monday and stretching into early February, highs will struggle to break into the 20s, and overnight lows are expected to plunge into the single digits - with some areas even dipping below zero.
That means the snow isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Fans heading to Monday’s game - or just trying to navigate the city - should plan accordingly. It’s going to be a cold, icy end to January in Philly.
For the Sixers, the challenge now is twofold: battling the elements and finding a way to win without their MVP.