The Philadelphia 76ers are heading into Saturday night’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks with a significantly thinned-out roster - and it just got a little thinner.
Already down Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford, and Paul George, the Sixers will once again be without their franchise centerpiece, Joel Embiid. The reigning MVP is set to miss his second straight game due to a combination of right knee injury management and illness. He was sidelined for Friday’s win over the New York Knicks, and now Philly will have to navigate a tough back-to-back without their most dominant force.
This is a big test for a Sixers squad that’s trying to find rhythm in a stretch of the season where health has been anything but consistent. Embiid’s absence changes everything - not just in terms of scoring, but in how Philadelphia anchors its defense, controls the glass, and dictates tempo. Without him, the Sixers will lean heavily on veteran big man Andre Drummond and rookie Adem Bona to hold down the paint.
Drummond, with his rebounding prowess and physicality, becomes a key figure in this one. Bona, still raw but full of energy, will be asked to provide spot minutes and do the dirty work inside. Together, they’ll be tasked with keeping pace on the boards and protecting the rim - no small feat against a Mavericks frontcourt that features Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
Dallas brings size, athleticism, and versatility to the floor, and without Embiid, the margin for error tightens. Expect the Sixers to rely on ball movement, timely shooting, and a collective defensive effort to stay competitive. It’s the kind of game where role players can make a name for themselves - or at least buy the team some breathing room until the reinforcements return.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST, and after this back-to-back, the Sixers will get a brief breather with Sunday and Monday off before facing the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. For now, though, all eyes are on how Philly handles the challenge in Dallas - short-handed, but still fighting.