76ers vs. Rockets: Joel Embiid’s Playing Status on Friday

The Philadelphia 76ers’ current road trip hasn’t featured their star center Joel Embiid at all.

When the Sixers battled it against the Miami Heat on Christmas Day, Embiid was ruled out early as it was revealed he didn’t travel with the team due to an injury he suffered a week ago.

In last Friday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors, Embiid went down with an ankle injury during the first quarter of the victory. Although he was clearly in pain throughout the night, Embiid finished the game with a normal shift en route to a 76ers victory.

After the game, Embiid was under the belief that he would be fine, but the team didn’t want to make any decisions on his playing status until the following day.

After missing practice, it was clear Embiid was questionable. Two days after suffering the injury, which was diagnosed as an ankle sprain, Embiid was ruled out against the Heat.

The trend continued the following game as the Sixers paid a visit to the Orlando Magic. Now, Friday’s matchup on the road against the Houston Rockets will make it three games in a row where Embiid won’t suit up and play.

With another absence coming on Friday, Embiid is on pace to miss three consecutive games for the first time this season. In total, it will be his sixth absence of the year.

Before going out with an injury, Embiid was thriving this month. In nine games, he averaged 40 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks per game. The Sixers had just one loss in his presence throughout the month of November.

While Monday’s loss against the Heat dropped the Sixers to a 0-4 record in Embiid’s absence this season, the Sixers finally found success without him on Wednesday in Orlando.

After starting Paul Reed in his place and having Mo Bamba play backup to the usual backup, the Sixers secured themselves a comfortable 20-point victory without the MVP big man.

They hope to find the same success on Friday in Houston.