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Sixers' Nick Nurse Reveals Concern Level After Joel Embiid’s Absence

Are Nick Nurse and the Philadelphia 76ers worried about Joel Embiid's recent absence?
Justin Grasso|
Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up before
Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up before | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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Philadelphia 76ers

Heading into Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers listed the star center Joel Embiid as questionable.

Embiid’s status on the injury report was far from unusual. Since he returned to action nearly two weeks ago, Embiid has entered every game listed as questionable.

Prior to Sunday’s game, Embiid found himself actually downgraded to out just once. His absence came on the second night of a back-to-back set against the San Antonio Spurs.

Considering Embiid practiced with the Sixers on Saturday, it seemed he was sure to play on Sunday, especially since the Sixers were doing all they could to try and pick up a win.

However, many were surprised to see the Sixers hold him out.

After rolling without Embiid for just the second time since he returned, how concerned are the Sixers heading into their Play-In situation? According to Nick Nurse, not concerned at all.

“He did everything at practice yesterday,” Nurse told reporters after Sunday’s game against the Nets. “We just decided, out of caution, to hold him out.”

Multiple reports alluded to the idea that the Sixers were confident Mo Bamba and Paul Reed could fill in and help get the job done on Sunday, allowing Embiid to get some rest and avoid setbacks. The Sixers’ plan worked, as they collected a needed win over Brooklyn.

Unfortunately, the victory didn’t do them any favors in the end. Even after winning out, the Sixers found themselves finishing in seventh place. Therefore, they’ll take on the Miami Heat Wednesday night for their first Play-In matchup ever.

The injury report hasn’t been revealed just yet, but Nurse seems quite optimistic about Embiid’s status.

“He’ll be ready to go,” the head coach finished. “He’ll be fine.”

The Sixers and the Heat will tip-off at 7 PM ET on Wednesday.

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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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