Joel Embiid won’t be hitting the court for the Philadelphia 76ers’ Sunday matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The news comes right after the big man put up a monster 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in Saturday’s 127-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, he’s sidelined for right plantar fasciitis management at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
A Superstar’s Rest, But The Sixers Are Rolling
Embiid reportedly wanted to play against Detroit, which you’d expect after a triple-double performance like that. But apparently, the seven-time All-Star usually skips back-to-back nights. It’s a calculated decision, sure, but it’s still wild to see a player put up those numbers and then immediately sit. The Sixers are currently sitting pretty at 3-0, so it’s going to be interesting to see if this management decision affects their early undefeated run.
Sixers and Pistons Both Battling The Injury Bug Early
It’s not just Embiid missing action for Philly, either. Reserve post player Jabari Walker is also out for Sunday’s game with left knee soreness, an injury he picked up during Saturday’s contest. And the bench is already thin, with Dom Barlow (low back stress reaction), Tacko Fall (left quadriceps strain), and Ariel Hukporti (season-ending right Achilles tendon tear) all remaining sidelined. Talk about a tough start to the season for the injury report.
The Pistons are in a similar boat, though. Detroit, also undefeated at 2-0, will be without their All-Star center Jalen Duran. He’s sidelined for the next two weeks after suffering a strained right hamstring. This Sunday’s game, even without Embiid, is a real test for the undefeated Sixers. Can they keep their perfect start alive with so many key players sidelined, especially against another undefeated team? We’ll find out at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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