The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for a challenging 3-game road trip, kicking things off on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, they'll be without star center Joel Embiid, who is sidelined due to right knee injury management and right shin soreness.
This matchup marks the start of a back-to-back, with the team heading to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Sixers are aiming for a strong start to set the tone for the trip.
Stepping into Embiid's shoes is veteran Andre Drummond, a familiar face in the starting lineup this season. Coach Nick Nurse has opted to keep Adem Bona in a reserve role, relying on Drummond’s experience and presence in the paint. Drummond has been solid, contributing 7.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and he'll be joining a starting lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Dominick Barlow.
The game tips off at 7 p.m. EST at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, and it promises to be an intriguing matchup as the Sixers look to navigate Embiid's absence and maintain their momentum on the road.