The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning MVP, for their Christmas Day game against the Miami Heat due to a sprained right ankle.
Embiid sustained the injury during Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors but continued to play, finishing with 31 points and 10 rebounds. This performance marked his 13th consecutive game, achieving at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, a feat matched only by NBA legends Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor.
Embiid’s streak of 14 games with at least 30 points is the longest since James Harden’s 32 consecutive games in the 2018-19 season. Despite playing through the injury, his status for the upcoming games remains uncertain. He did not travel with the team to Miami, and his status for the next game against the Orlando Magic in part of the road trip is yet to be determined.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat Updates
76ers coach Nick Nurse noted that Embiid played through the injury without altering his rotation, but acknowledged the potential for soreness. Philadelphia, currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 20-8 record, has been performing well, boasting the league’s best point differential, second-best offensive rating, and second-best defensive rating.
“Obviously, he stayed in the game and it didn’t change his rotation at all,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after Friday’s win. “But he played through it and I’m pretty sure he’ll be sore tomorrow. We’ll have to monitor it over the next couple days before we get on the plane [to Miami].”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat Updates
Embiid’s absence is significant given his exceptional form this season, leading the league with an average of 35 points per game and more points scored than minutes played. He is also averaging a career-high six assists per game, underlining his importance to the team’s success. The 76ers’ performance without their superstar big man will be closely watched as they continue their successful season.
