Sports
Sixers hold Joel Embiid out against Detroit as back-to-back ends
Philadelphia will face the undefeated Pistons without Embiid, who had a 28-point triple-double in Saturday’s win, and Jabari Walker, who tweaked his knee in that game. The Sixers said Embiid’s absence is injury management for right plantar fasciitis; Walker has left knee soreness.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Joel Embiid and Jabari Walker when they host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night, the final game of a back-to-back for both teams.
Philadelphia listed Embiid as out for management of right plantar fasciitis. Walker is sidelined with left knee soreness. The 3-0 Sixers are scheduled to tip off against the 2-0 Pistons at 7:30 p.m. at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Philadelphia’s win over Milwaukee on Saturday. Afterward, he joked with reporters that he felt good and wanted to play Sunday, but the team stuck to its plan to have him sit one game of the back-to-back.
Walker played 12 minutes against the Bucks, recording six points and three rebounds before leaving late in the third quarter. Coach Nick Nurse said after the game that Walker had tweaked his left knee.
With Embiid unavailable, Adem Bona is expected to be next in line at center. Detroit will also be without its regular starting center, Jalen Duren, who has a right hamstring strain; former Sixer Paul Reed is expected to take on a larger role for the Pistons.
The Sixers’ other players listed out are Dominick Barlow, with a lower-back stress reaction; Ariel Hukporti, with a right Achilles tendon tear; and Tacko Fall, with a left quadriceps strain. LeBron James is set to return after sitting out Saturday’s game.