Injuries have been an ongoing theme in Joel Embiid‘s young career. After missing his first two years in the NBA with lingering foot problems, Embiid was limited to just 31 games last season.
Despite his stellar play when he was actually on the court, it’s the primary reason he lost the Rookie of the Year award to Malcolm Brogdon. So far this season, Embiid has been far less limited in terms of minutes and in being able to play in far more games, playing in 21 of their first 24 games.
However, on Sunday, the Sixers announced that Embiid would sit out against the Pelicans in New Orleans on their second night of a back-to-back. Embiid also missed the previous game on Saturday, a 105-98 loss to the Cavaliers.
Joel Embiid (back tightness) won't play tonight vs. #Pelicans.
— Daniel Sallerson (@dsallerson) December 11, 2017
Philadelphia is looking to get back on track after three straight losses. They dropped a heart-breaker to the Lakers on Thursday on a Brandon Ingram three-pointer in the final seconds that capped off a furious late-game battle between the two young teams. The Sixers are playing just .500 ball of late and will need Embiid back in the lineup soon if they want to get back on track.
There’s been no further word about the nature of his Embiid’s back troubles or how long it might cost him. The Sixers currently sit at 13-12 for the season and have fallen to the eighth spot in the re-loaded Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
