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Joel Embiid’s Official Playing Status for 76ers-Jazz on Saturday

Joel Embiid's playing status for Saturday's game against the Jazz is revealed.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 13, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after scoring against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after scoring against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia 76ersUtah Jazz

Saturday night’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz was in danger of missing many players on both sides as the injury reports loaded up. Joel Embiid headlines the Sixers’ injury report, as he was downgraded to questionable.

In addition to the sinus fracture he’s been recovering from for a couple of weeks now, Embiid is also dealing with a left foot sprain, according to the official NBA injury report.

Fortunately for the Sixers, the two setbacks won't hold him out. The Sixers revealed that Embiid is in the team's starting five on Saturday.

All season long, Embiid has battled with setbacks. Before the 2024-2025 season even started, Embiid set to miss time as part of his injury management plan after getting surgery last season.

It wasn’t until the tenth game of the year when Embiid finally made his debut. By the time that happened, Embiid appeared in just four games before another seven-game absence ensued due to swelling and soreness in the knee.

Embiid’s return to action would last two games. Just 17 minutes into his second-straight matchup against the Indiana Pacers, Embiid was hit in the face and ruled out with an injury that was later diagnosed as a sinus fracture.

The Sixers ruled out Embiid for one week, but his absence concluded after one game. When the Sixers took on the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week, Embiid was back in action for 14 minutes before getting ejected in the second quarter.

When the Sixers paid a visit to the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, Embiid took the court for 30 minutes. He scored 27 points and nine rebounds in the four-point win.

The Sixers are set to tip off with the Jazz at 9:30 PM ET on Saturday.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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