ESPN insider ‘assumes’ Joel Embiid will play season opener vs. Bucks; Khris Middleton out

The news surrounding Joel Embiid’s availability for the season opener against Milwaukee seems positive, while the Bucks will reportedly be without Khris Middleton.

We’re on the cusp of a brand new NBA regular season, with the Sixers slated to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. We’re mere days away of the matchup and already getting some injury updates regarding both teams.

ESPN’s Tim Bontempts said on Monday’s Hoop Collective podcast that he thinks Joel Embiid will play in the season opener when asked by host Brian Windhorst. The discussion (which can be found around the 57-minute mark) went like this:

Brian Windhorst: Can I ask a question on Joel?

Tim Bontempts: Yes.

BW: [Joel Embiid] didn’t get hurt right, between the Olympics and now?

TB: It’s my understanding, he is not hurt, no. Also I assume he’s going to be playing on Wednesday.

BW: Right. So I mean, to our knowledge, he didn’t get hurt [in the Olympics]. So this is all been load management slash ramping up slash whatever. Like I think that’s just important to-

TB: Important to say, yes. And like last year, he played one preseason game at the end of the preseason and did basically the same thing, but other than that, like just ramping up for the start of the year, getting ready to go. Like I said, he looks great from a body standpoint, lost a bunch of weight.

Everything I’ve heard, it seems like when he’s been on the court it’s looked good, but you know, my guess is I’ll be on the court on Wednesday night and I’ll be watching Joel work out at 7, at 6:45.

Signs seem to be pointing in the right direction for Embiid to suit up for game one of the regular season. As pointed out, Embiid missed most of the preseason last year so this isn’t exactly a new thing with him.

At practice Monday, Nick Nurse didn’t really give much, but said that Embiid and rookie Jared McCain participated in most of practice. He also noted that Tyrese Maxey was a full participant while Paul George did not practice.

Nurse said he’ll learn more about Embiid, George and McCain tomorrow when they’re reevaluated.

“I don’t really have a level because they said tomorrow we should have a good idea on all three of them. I do know that personally talking to them they all feel pretty good, but until I see them a little more on the court, I can’t really decide that until after tomorrow’s practice.”

Embiid has yet to scrimmage at 5-on-5 during practice, but Nurse said that’s all part of the newfound process to keep Embiid healthy.

“I would say he’s going to be very limited in that stuff as kind of his new normal,” Nurse said. “Again, he’s moving pretty good. He’s getting a lot of work in. He’s out there for 60, 70 percent of the team practice until we get to the real physical stuff. … I think again we’re just trying to make sure we’re not overdoing it this early in the year.”

On the other side of the court, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Khris Middleton is expected to miss Wednesday’s game as he rehabs from offseason ankle injuries.

Middleton is a big piece for the Milwaukee Bucks, and they’ll miss him even more if Paul George indeed plays. News on George and his left knee bone bruise is expected in the next day or two, with his status ultimately up in the air to begin the week.

While Wednesday’s game might be missing some big names, we’ll still get two contending teams going head to head with Tyrese Maxey and (hopefully) Embiid vs. Damian Lillard and Antetokounmpo. Oh yeah, and Doc Rivers will be coming back to Philly.

Additional injury and availability news is expected to follow, and we’ll keep you posted here at Liberty Ballers.