76ers Injury Report: Key Starter Set to Miss Grizzlies Encounter Amid Uncertainty Over Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers have been on a roll since Joel Embiid’s return from injury. The reigning MVP has led the Sixers to two straight wins, keeping them in the 8th spot of the Eastern Conference standings. The Sixers hope to improve their 42-35 record tonight as they prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on the road. However, there is a lot of uncertainty about the availability of their star players. After Embiid’s ambiguous status, the unavailability of another key starter raises concerns.

According to the Sixers’ latest injury report, Forward Tobias Harris has been ruled out of tonight’s game because of a left knee contusion. Harris suffered the injury during Tuesday’s win over OKC, which led to him missing the last game against the Miami Heat. He will miss his 2nd straight game tonight. Although Harris was able to finish Tuesday’s game despite the injury, a later MRI revealed a bruise on his left knee. The severity of Harris’ injury is unknown, and it is still uncertain when he will return to action.

Tobias Harris has had a solid season for the Sixers so far. The Forward is averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. While Tyrese Maxey has emerged as ‘Robin’ to Embiid’s ‘Batman’, Harris has stayed consistent in his role as the Sixers’ 3rd option. His absence tonight is devastating for the Sixers as they are already uncertain about a questionable Joel Embiid’s availability status. He is still in day-to-day recovery from his knee surgery.

Will Philadelphia’s injury struggles end their playoff dreams?

The Philadelphia 76ers started the season as one of the best teams in the league. Joel Embiid was having another MVP-caliber season, averaging around 35 points per game. And Tyrese Maxey emerged as an All-Star-caliber player following James Harden’s departure. But their season came crashing down after Embiid’s injury. They’ve fallen to the 8th seed and are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. With only 5 games remaining in the regular season, multiple injuries have raised even more concerns for Joel Embiid and Co.

Joel Embiid is still not 100% since his return. After his first game back, Embiid said, “This one was probably the hardest by far, especially mentally.” Embiid did not feel too good playing after a 2-month hiatus.

Tyrese Maxey is also facing injury concerns. He recently missed two straight games because of left hip tightness and made his return on Thursday against Miami. Maxey will play tonight but is still on a day-to-day assessment.

With Tobias Harris injured, the Sixers’ 3 best players are dealing with lingering injuries. And it is not a good sign for them heading into the post-season. They will face the Miami Heat in the first play-in game if the current standings hold. And everyone knows what Miami is capable of in elimination games. They were the first team to reach the NBA Finals last season after qualifying through the play-in tournament. The Sixers hope their stars stay healthy and available for the rest of the season to keep their Championship dream alive.

Read More: Is Joel Embiid Playing Tonight vs Grizzlies? Reigning MVP’s Current Status Amid Terrific Return From Injury