Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are both listed as probable for Friday night’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers, according to the Sixers’ initial injury report. Embiid is currently managing a left knee injury, while Maxey has been dealing with an illness. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain sidelined, along with rookie two-way guard Hunter Sallis.
Following a tough loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where Embiid struggled by shooting just 4-for-21 from the field, he indicated that his knee management plan would involve playing two games within a three-day span. With the Sixers having had four days off since the Lakers game, Friday’s contest against the Pacers precedes a showdown with the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. It remains uncertain whether Embiid will be ready to take on this challenge, given the significant time off leading up to these two games.
On the other hand, Maxey, who leads the NBA in both total minutes and minutes per game, has participated in every game this season and has shown resilience, having only appeared on the injury report twice previously without missing any games.
As for Oubre and Watford, both are recovering from injuries, with updates expected soon. Watford’s re-evaluation for a left adductor strain was scheduled for Wednesday, while Oubre’s second re-evaluation for a left knee injury took place on Thursday. After returning to practice, the Sixers reported that neither player is currently cleared for live action, leaving their statuses in some uncertainty.
The potential return of Embiid and Maxey, key players for the team, is a positive indication for the Sixers as they navigate their injury challenges, holding out hope for a stronger performance in the upcoming games.