Joel Embiid questionable vs. Boston; Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis out© Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
With another meeting looming tomorrow with the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is currently listed as questionable.
Embiid was a late scratch for Wednesday night’s game in New Orleans, a game the Sixers trailed by as many as 29 points in an eventual 124-114 Pelicans win. Friday’s game will be the third meeting already between the Sixers and Celtics this season. Both of the previous games took place in Philadelphia, with the Sixers winning the first, 106-103, and Boston winning the second, 117-107. The Celtics currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 14-4 record.
From that same injury report, Nic Batum and Jaden Springer are both listed as probable. Batum played just 14 minutes in New Orleans, but was a full participant in practice earlier today. Springer has missed the last three games, last appearing against the Timberwolves last Wednesday.
While Springer appears likely to return, Danuel House Jr., who also hasn’t taken the floor since Minnesota remains out. Things are looking good on the Kelly Oubre Jr. front, though, with the veteran forward eyeing a return next week. Oubre Jr. is averaging 16.2 points per game, shooting 37.8 percent from three, this season.
Meanwhile, although Joel is questionable, there is more certainty on the Boston big man front, with Kristaps Porzingis ruled out with a calf strain.
Porzingis missed Boston’s earlier win against the Sixers, but scored 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting in the first game between the two teams. If Embiid does play, we’ll likely see plenty of Al Horford guarding Joel, a situation that worked out just fine for the Celtics in the last meeting.
We’ll await word tomorrow on Joel and his probable teammates.