Joel Embiid will miss all of the preseason, but the rest of the Sixers should be available Monday night in Atlanta for a game against the Hawks.
Anyone hoping to see the Sixers’ new Big Three this preseason was a dealt a big blow Sunday.
The team announced that while Embiid is “progressing well” with his left knee, he will sit out the entire preseason. Take that update how you will. The Sixers open the regular season in nine days at home against Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
You should expect to see everyone else get some burn tonight — unlike what we saw in Boston Saturday night. The Celtics, playing most of the rotation that won them a championship last season, crushed a Sixers team that more closely resembled a summer league squad.
The good news is you should actually be able to see Paul George this time around with the game being broadcast on NBA TV. The nine-time All-Star had a strong preseason debut for the Sixers last Friday in Iowa against the Timberwolves. The veteran wing dropped 23 points in 26 minutes, going 4-of-9 from three and adding six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Tyrese Maxey had a strong game playing alongside him, pouring in 21 points in 26 minutes and going 4-of-7 from deep.
There are no official injury reports for the preseason, but Atlanta has not played since Oct. 8 (their matchup against the Miami Heat on Oct. 10 was postponed because of Hurricane Milton), so expect a mostly complete team. Bogan Bogdanovic (rest), Onyeka Okongwu (toe) and Cody Zeller (away from team) didn’t play in the Hawks’ win over the Pacers last week.
This will be our first look at No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, who impressed during the win over Indiana with 18 points. All-Star guard Trae Young (17 points, six assists) and ascending forward Jalen Johnson (19 points, 10 rebounds) also looked sharp in the victory for the new-look Hawks.
The franchise moved guard Dejounte Murray in a summer blockbuster with the Pelicans. New Orleans sent Atlanta promising young wing Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddel (who was traded to the Suns for David Roddy), and veterans Larry Nance, Jr. and Zeller. The Hawks also acquired two first-round picks.
Game Details
Who: Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Watch: NBA TV
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers