For the third time this season, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls will meet for a matchup on Tuesday night. Recently, the two Eastern Conference competitors squared off before ringing in the New Year. At the time, the Sixers were shorthanded. The team’s most prominent player, Joel Embiid, received the night off in Chicago over the weekend as he recovered from a sprained ankle.
At the time, it was Embiid’s fourth straight absence. The big man’s recent injury concerns started during the Sixers’ December 22 win over the Toronto Raptors. Amidst Embiid’s 35-minute shift, he twisted his ankle and played through the pain en route to a 31-point, ten-rebound showing in the ten-point win over Toronto. Embiid believed he was fine, but he couldn’t guarantee his playing status for the following game on Christmas Day against the Miami Heat.
Unfortunately, Embiid missed his first game on Christmas since December 1, and he had a string of absences that followed. A four-game road trip without Embiid resulted in a 2-2 performance by the Sixers. They lost the first road matchup in Miami before collecting wins over the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets. When the Sixers saw the Bulls for a second time, they fell short with a 13-point loss. WILL EMBIID SEE AN UPGRADE? The Sixers were hopeful that Embiid would be cleared in time for when they return home for their first matchup of 2024. Fortunately for Philadelphia, all signs are pointing towards Embiid playing.
When the Sixers released their injury report on Monday night, Embiid’s name was left off for the first time since Christmas. Therefore, he’s on pace to play, barring any unexpected setbacks. Embiid should offer the 76ers a significant boost. After all, he’s playing at an MVP level once again. In his nine matchups throughout December, Embiid averaged 40 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks while draining 61 percent of his field goals and 42 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. The Sixers won all but one of their nine games before he went out. On Monday, the 76ers will get another crack at the Bulls. The last time Embiid faced Chicago, he scored 40 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in 37 minutes.
