76ers vs. Bulls: Could Joel Embiid See Playing Status Upgrade?

Lately, the Philadelphia 76ers have been rolling without their MVP center, Joel Embiid.

Last Friday, the Sixers’ big man rolled his ankle during the first quarter of the team’s win against the Toronto Raptors. Embiid battled with soreness throughout the matchup after suffering the minor injury, but he refused to end his night early as a result.

However, after the game, Embiid and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse made it clear that his status moving forward would be dependent on how he feels in the following days.

Embiid was not a participant in the Sixers’ pre-Christmas practice session last Saturday. When they traveled to face the Miami Heat for the Christmas Day battle, Embiid did not make the trip. As a result of a sprained ankle, the Sixers allowed the big man to take a night off and left the door open for potential future absences.

When the Sixers paid a visit to take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the trend continued. Embiid remained in Philadelphia as he needed to continue recovering from his sprain. The Sixers wouldn’t rule out Embiid for Friday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets early, but he was inactive for the matchup and didn’t make the trip.

The Sixers will close out a back-to-back set on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls, and signs are pointing towards Embiid getting the night off once again.

As Friday’s matchup against the Rockets approached, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Embiid was not expected to suit up for the Sixers on Saturday. Since the Sixers won’t be making any final calls on playing statuses until Saturday afternoon, Embiid’s official status is up in the air but it appears there are no plans to have him travel out for the final leg of the road trip.

If Embiid indeed misses Saturday’s game, it would mark his fourth-straight absence on the current stretch. He would sit out for the seventh time this season.

This year, Embiid’s once again putting together an MVP-caliber season. In the 25 games he was available, the big man averaged 35 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks per game.