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

After his return from a 29-game absence, Joel Embiid doesn’t look worse for the wear. In his first game back, the big man had a stat line of 24-7-6. And again, against the Miami Heat, he posted 29-3-4. Those are great numbers for someone who’s been out of it for nearly two months. But the next opponent that the Philadelphia 76ers are going to face is the Memphis Grizzlies. The tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET at FedEx Forum.

The last time they went head-to-head (March 6), the Sixers ended up losing 109-115. Granted, they were missing a 7-foot center then. But so were they. Memphis had lost their superstar, Ja Morant, to a season-ending injury. This time, though, they have Embiid on their side. Or do they?

The latest injury update on the 76ers has Joel Embiid (knee), among three other players, listed as ‘Questionable’. The others are Mo Bamba (illness), Tobias Harris (knee), and Tyrese Maxey (hip). Aside from them, Robert Covington, also knee, and De’Anthony Melton with a back injury are ‘Out’.

For now, both teams are on a three-game winning streak. But the Grizzlies remain in the 13th position in the Western Conference with a 27-50 record while Philly is currently the eighth-seeded with a 42-35 record. The Sixers are just two games from snatching a ticket straight to the playoffs. But the sixth-seeded Pacers don’t look like they are planning on giving it up that easily.

Philly without Joel Embiid is not considered a threat. And it was only painfully apparent during his absence. A team that had a net rating of 10.0 with Embiid dropped drastically to -4.6 in his absence. And if we take a more recent instance, the Sixers were 11-21 between the last full game of the reigning MVP and his return.

The Philadelphia 76ers depth chart

The fact that the Grizzlies don’t fare well at home (9-28) games should give Joel Embiid and Co. something of a comfort. Memphis is yet to reveal their latest injury report. As of now, Luke Kennard remains ‘Out’ as the latest victim of injuries. With such promising circumstances, let’s take a look at Philadelphia’s depth chart.

Of course, if those of the players mentioned above on the questionable list do not suit up come game time, there will have to be changes. Hopefully, it doesn’t have to be the case.

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