With a matchup against the Pelicans on deck Friday, the Sixers might get some reinforcements as Joel Embiid and Paul George both returned to the practice floor.
The Sixers were back at practice one day after narrowly defeating the Washington Wizards 109-103. As has become the norm, Nick Nurse provided an update on the health statuses of Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Both of them participated in Thursday’s practice — the only Sixers who didn’t were Andre Drummond, KJ Martin and Kyle Lowry. That bodes well for the two stars’ availability for Friday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. They don’t have to officially release the injury report for a few more hours, but it feels like a safe bet that they’ll both be listed as questionable.
Andre Drummond, KJ Martin, and Kyle Lowry did not practice today. Everyone else participated, per Nick Nurse
— Josh Grieb (@JGrieb10) January 9, 2025
Assuming Lowry and Drummond can’t go against the Pelicans, that will be the third straight game both of them have missed. Lowry has dealt with hip soreness all year, and Drummond’s toe contusion has given him lingering problems since late December.
Nurse also gave a brief update on KJ Martin, who has been dealing with a stress reaction and hasn’t played since Dec. 23. Nurse revealed that he is no longer in a walking boot, but still hasn’t progressed to on court work yet.
“There’s been some progress but not a lot,” Nurse said.
We’re also awaiting word on Pelicans star Zion Williamson’s status for Friday. The oft-injured forward made his return this past Tuesday after being out since early November but didn’t play in the second game of New Orleans’ back-to-back Wednesday.
The Pelicans, who have the worst record in the West at 7-31, have (somehow) been more injury-ravaged than the Sixers.
Update: 4:55 p.m.
The official injury report has dropped, and with it comes good news and bad. Embiid has been ruled out, missing his third straight game along with Lowry and Drummond. George on the other hand, is listed as probable. It just flat out sucks that Embiid will now miss three games with an injury that’s been described as “nothing major” by Nurse. This very well just might be his new reality.
The Pelicans continue to get hit hard by injuries as well, they have ruled Herb Jones out for Friday’s game. Zion Williamson however, does not appear on the injury report. Dejounte Murray is also listed as questionable with elbow tendinitis and a shin contusion.