After having a pathetic run for the last few weeks, the fortune of at least one team will change. Tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, the 12th-placed 76ers will take on the 10th-placed Bulls in an Eastern Conference showdown. Life hasn’t been good for Nick Nurse this season, as the combination of injuries and inconsistent performances has hit their chances to make the playoffs. But what about their star boy, Joel Embiid?

Longstanding cornerstone Joel Embiid has been on a hospital bed than he can count. Being one of the most talented and consistent performers in the league, his absence has pinched the Philadelphia 76ers more than they can take. The Sixers are on a 7 game-losing streak currently, and facing an out-of-form Bulls is exactly what the ‘doctor’ ordered for Nurse. Nevertheless, here’s the Sixers’ injury report for the Bulls game.

What does the 76ers injury report hint about the predicted lineup?

Joel Embiid has had his fair share of battles with the injury demon in his career. His latest one is a persisting problem with his left knee, which has been bothering him for far too long. Even though the 30-year-old has undergone a successful knee surgery a while back, it didn’t guarantee his full return to the side. His efforts to play are still in doubt as the poster boy of the Process is listed as questionable for the Bulls game.

Now what about the forward Paul George? A veteran in the squad, his experience, and quality are exactly what Nick Nurse and Co. will be looking forward to for the upcoming seasons. But during the last time the two teams met, PG-13 picked up an extensor tendon injury on his left pinky finger, which caused him to miss the next 5 games. He’s been playing with a split since his return, and it’s proved to be a huge inconvenience to his performances. But he’s cleared to play against the Bulls tonight.

“They need somebody that is positive every single day. I can’t let anything that is going on around me or how I feel – I can’t let it show. That’s what I have to keep doing a good job of. Again, I’m a blessed person. I’m blessed to be here and I always say I’m extremely thankful to be in this position. I do this for a living and I absolutely love doing it. So, just keep being myself, and keep smiling, and keep encouraging guys,” said Maxley, rightfully.

To add to the worry, Justin Edwards (left ankle sprain), Eric Gordon (right wrist sprain), and Kyle Lowry (right hip injury management) remain out against the Chicago team. That’s not all though, as point guard Tyrese Maxley is also listed as questionable against the Bulls. Arguably their best player this season, he’s been dealing with a right finger sprain. They’ll need his red-hot form to come in clutch again, as he’s fresh off a 31-point masterclass in their loss against the Nets.

Nurse clears his chest on Joel Embiid

The NBA gods haven’t been kind to Embiid, as he is not being able to live up to their talent and potential due to injuries. The 2022-23 season is the only season where he’s gotten close to the 70-game mark, with the rest of them being hampered with stints on the sidelines. He has managed around 450 games over the last decade. Coach Nurse is answerable for his fitness, and has made his mind clear.

“He’s giving us what he can. He’s not himself, we all know that, He’s not, certainly, the guy that we’re used to seeing play at a super high level. But I commend him for giving us what he can,” said Nurse when asked by a reporter about his biggest impediment to greatness.

The Process has been instrumental for the Sixers, being a part of their whole rebuilding process and their recent consistency in qualifying for the playoffs. Throughout his career, he has 23.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG. He was also MVP in 2023, which came off the back of leading the Association in scoring in two consecutive seasons as a center.

Nick Nurse needs some Joel Embiid and Paul George magic to turn their fortunes around this season. Their rebuilding phase would’ve been all for nothing if they returned to the form they showed in the early 2010s. Currently, on a 7-game losing streak, they’ll be looking to come back the winning way by brushing aside the Bulls in the hopes of reaching the playoffs for the 8th consecutive season.