Embiid will be unavailable for the 76ers’ matchup against the Hawks because of a shin injury.
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid has reported discomfort in his right shin during the All-Star break and will be unavailable for the Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup against Atlanta on Thursday evening.
The Sixers indicated that Embiid felt the discomfort while engaged in a right knee injury management program during the break. After consulting with medical professionals, Embiid has been undergoing daily treatment while continuing his on-court activities and strength and conditioning regimen.
Embiid is set to be reassessed prior to the Sixers’ consecutive road games, which are scheduled for Saturday in New Orleans and Sunday in Minnesota.
This season, Embiid has averaged 26.6 points across 31 games for the Sixers and has not faced the minute restrictions that affected him in previous seasons. He missed three of the last five games leading up to the All-Star break due to discomfort in his right knee.
The Sixers have recorded losses in six of their last seven contests when Embiid is not on the court.
The 7-foot center was limited to 19 games last season and 39 games the year before. He scored 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a victory last month against New Orleans, on a night when Paul George was suspended for 25 games due to a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
Embiid has faced numerous injuries even before joining the NBA. He sustained a stress fracture in his right foot prior to being drafted from Kansas, which sidelined him for two years. Since then, he has dealt with various issues, including a bone bruise, a meniscus tear, a fractured orbital bone, a sprained shoulder, tendinitis, torn ligaments, and even Bell’s palsy.
Despite these injuries, the 76ers extended Embiid’s contract in 2024 with a three-year, $193 million deal that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, which will take effect next season.
