The spotlight is on the health of Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, as they prepare to take on the Boston Celtics on Friday night. Embiid, who missed the previous game due to illness, is officially listed as questionable. The key question remains: Will Embiid play, and if so, how impactful will he be?
Embiid has been a crucial force for the 76ers this season, averaging an impressive 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Philadelphia has faced challenges without him, losing both games in which he was absent.
In their recent loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the 76ers struggled from the start, trailing by as many as 16 points in the first quarter. Despite Tyrese Maxey’s impressive 33-point performance, the team couldn’t overcome the early deficit.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse emphasized the need for better execution of defensive schemes, stating, “We cannot use (Embiid’s absence) as an excuse, and we won’t use it as an excuse.”
On the other side, the Boston Celtics are dealing with their own absence, as center Kristaps Porzingis remains sidelined with a left calf injury since Nov. 24. The Celtics, unbeaten in eight home games this season, are coming off a convincing 124-97 victory against the Chicago Bulls.
The victory against the Bulls propelled Boston into the quarterfinals of the NBA’s in-season tournament, requiring a specific margin of victory to advance. The team achieved this with a season-high 21 three-pointers, showcasing their offensive prowess.
While Boston will miss Porzingis, they welcomed back Jrue Holiday in the last game, who contributed 14 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Holiday’s return adds defensive strength to the Celtics’ lineup.
The upcoming game marks the third meeting between the 76ers and the Celtics this season. In their previous encounters, each team secured a victory, with Embiid playing a pivotal role in Philadelphia’s win and contributing significantly in Boston’s triumph. The absence of key players and the uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s availability add intrigue to this matchup of Eastern Conference rivals.
