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The Philadelphia 76ers’ biggest concern since the beginning of the season has been Joel Embiid‘s health, which is understandable given that he has played in only 4 out of their 21 games. Initially, it was his knee that kept him off the court, followed by an unexpected incident that shook the basketball community–his suspension. But the misfortunes didn’t stop there. The 7-footer’s troublesome knee has once again sidelined him for a significant number of games, almost ending his chances to participate in the 2025 MVP race. However, he’s been desperately trying to make a comeback. Will the big day be tomorrow afternoon when the Sixers face the Bulls? Let’s check the injury report to see if he received a green signal to play.

Injury Report

Both sides have the advantage of shorter injury lists, but Philadelphia’s situation weighs more heavily due to the presence of their heart and soul, Joel Embiid, on the injury report. Both Embiid and Adem Bona are questionable for Sunday’s matchup because of their respective left knee injuries, as per ESPN. Meanwhile, Patrick Williams is the only player on the Bulls’ side who will miss the clash. The 23-year-old forward is dealing with inflammation in his left foot, where he previously underwent surgery. Now that we’re already aware of the injury list, let’s look at the depth charts of the two teams.

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Depth Chart

Philadelphia 76ers

PositionStarter2nd3rd
PGTyrese MaxeyJared McCainReggie Jackson
SGKelly Oubre Jr.Kyle LowryEric Gordon
SFPaul GeorgeCaleb MartinRicky Council IV
PFGuerschon YabuseleKJ MartinCaleb Martin
CJoel Embiid (P)Guerschon YabuseleAndre Drummond

Chicago Bulls

PositionStarter2nd3rd
PGJosh GiddeyLonzo BallAyo Dosunmu
SGCoby WhiteAyo DosunmuZach LaVine
SFZach LaVineDalen TerryTalen Horton-Tucker
PFPatrick Williams OJulian PhillipsMatas Buzelis
CNikola VucevicJalen SmithAdama Sanogo

What’s your perspective on:

Is Embiid's injury-prone nature a ticking time bomb for the Sixers' championship hopes?

Have an interesting take?

Can Joel Embiid be the difference maker in the Sixers vs Bulls matchup?

So far, the Sixers have managed to win only six games, and all of those have come without Embiid, who hasn’t yet showcased his full impact. In his four appearances, the 30-year-old averaged 19.8 points along with 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a block per game but couldn’t help his side secure a win. Instead, it is been Paul George who has provided the necessary push for the team. Tyrese Maxey has been putting in similar effort, but the team still hasn’t found its rhythm.

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On the flip side, the Bulls appear much more organized with their 10-14 record, thanks to Zach LaVine and Josh Giddey effectively managing both ends of the floor. Breaking through the already vulnerable Sixers’ defense will be a cakewalk for the Chicago side, but Embiid’s presence could make a difference.

Embiid’s veteran presence and his chemistry with Paul George will provide Philadelphia with the boost they have been missing at the forefront. The duo could put up incredible numbers for their side if they connect well. While that moment hasn’t arrived yet, it could very well unfold tomorrow at the United Center when the Eastern rivals face off in what promises to be an action-packed battle. So, don’t forget to tune in at 1:00 PM ET to catch the live action straight from Chicago.

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Debate

Is Embiid's injury-prone nature a ticking time bomb for the Sixers' championship hopes?