Joel Embiid and The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets meet Today afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena in a matinee matchup that will be defined less by star power and more by which depleted roster holds together for 48 minutes. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia enters the game at 35-31 on the season. Brooklyn comes in at 17-49, among the worst records in the league. The Sixers lead the season series 2-1, though the Nets took the most recent meeting 114-106 on Dec. 23.
Joel Embiid out for eighth straight game
Joel Embiid has been ruled out with a right oblique strain, extending his absence to eight consecutive games. His last appearance came against the Miami Heat on Feb. 26. There is no confirmed timeline for his return.
In 33 appearances this season, Embiid has averaged 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Embiid is one of five Philadelphia players unavailable Saturday. Tyrese Maxey remains out with a right finger tendon strain. Paul George continues to serve a league suspension. Kelly Oubre Jr. is sidelined with a left elbow sprain. Johni Broome is out following right knee surgery. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona are both listed as questionable with back issues.
Brooklyn also arrives shorthanded
The Nets will be without Michael Porter Jr., their leading scorer at 24.2 points per game, who is listed as doubtful due to a right ankle sprain. Porter did not play Thursday when Brooklyn fell 108-97 to the Atlanta Hawks.
In that loss, trade acquisition Josh Minott scored a career-high 24 points off the bench in 24 minutes, going 6 of 9 from the field and 4 of 7 from three-point range. It was one of the brighter individual performances of Brooklyn’s difficult season.
Nic Claxton is also out for the Nets, listed as resting Saturday. Egor Demin, Drake Powell, and Day’Ron Sharpe are all out with various injuries. Ochai Agbaji is listed as probable with left ankle soreness.
How Philadelphia got here
The Sixers are coming off a 131-109 road loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, a game in which seven players were unavailable. MarJon Beauchamp provided one of the few positive moments, posting a Sixers career-high 17 points, the 18th double-digit scoring performance of his NBA career.
Saturday’s game carries a minor historical footnote. It will be the 223rd all-time meeting between Philadelphia and Brooklyn, matching the total number of games the Sixers have played against the Boston Celtics, which ties for the most in franchise history against any single opponent.
What to expect from Saturday’s game
With both rosters stripped of significant contributors, scoring is expected to come at a premium. Brooklyn has seen 62% of its road games finish under the total this season, a rate that reflects the team’s offensive limitations away from home.
VJ Edgecombe is projected to lead Philadelphia in scoring in the absence of Embiid and Maxey. The Sixers hold home court advantage and lead the season series, but their five-game injury list makes a clean win far from certain.
The game will be broadcast locally on NBC Sports Philadelphia and available on radio via 97.5 The Fanatic and the 76ers mobile app.
Full injury report
Philadelphia: Joel Embiid (right oblique strain, out), Tyrese Maxey (right finger tendon strain, out), Paul George (league suspension, out), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left elbow sprain, out), Johni Broome (right knee surgery recovery, out), Andre Drummond (back spasms, questionable), Adem Bona (back soreness, questionable).
Brooklyn: Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain, doubtful), Nic Claxton (rest, out), Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management, out), Drake Powell (left knee injury management, out), Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear, out), Ochai Agbaji (left ankle soreness, probable).
