Joel Embiid will miss his fifth straight game with a lingering foot sprain when the Sixers take on the red-hot Thunder Tuesday.
The Philadelphia 76ers released their injury for their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Joel Embiid is the headlining absence, as he’s already been ruled out with a left foot sprain. This will mark his fifth consecutive game out, last playing against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan 4.
Andre Drummond (toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (hip strain) and KJ Martin will join Embiid on the bench for this game. Caleb Martin, who did not suit up Sunday night in Orlando, is listed as questionable with right groin soreness. Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are the main guys out for the Thunder.
This means the Sixers will again be without their top two bigs, Embiid and Drummond. Guerschon Yabusele will likely draw the Hartenstein assignment at a pretty significant size disadvantage. On the year, Hartenstein is averaging 12 rebounds per game, with nearly three of them coming on the offensive end.
The NBA schedule won’t be kind if Embiid’s absence continues. Many regard the Thunder as the league’s top team, and the Sixers are set to face a challenging stretch with upcoming games against the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Sixers sitting seven games below .500, time is running out for them to secure a top-six seed and guarantee a playoff spot.