The Philadelphia 76ers are on a hot streak after winning their last three games. They have a chance to match their longest win streak of the year on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there is some uncertainty about whether Joel Embiid will take the court to help them achieve this.
What Is Joel Embiid’s Status Against the Lakers?
Embiid’s season has been plagued by injuries once again. He has played in only eight of the 76ers’ 22 games so far, and his status remains up in the air heading into Sunday’s game against the Lakers.
According to the latest update on the Sixers’ star, he remains listed as probable. His teammate, Paul George, is also listed the same, indicating that both are likely to play tonight. While their status is not yet definitive and either could be downgraded as tipoff approaches, fans can reasonably expect both to be available.
Embiid and George are upgraded to probable. https://t.co/yqMxWULixR
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 7, 2025
The early part of the season has been a roller coaster for the Sixers, with Embiid missing most of the action. He has played in only eight of the team’s 22 games and has seen limited action when he does suit up. He is averaging only 24.4 minutes per game, which is on pace to be the lowest of his career so far. His lack of playing time isn’t due to a lack of production but is instead a result of a cautious approach as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
His reduced minutes have impacted his production, but not as significantly as one might expect from someone averaging under 25 minutes per game. Yes, his scoring average is on pace to be his lowest, but it is still just slightly under 20 points (18.5 ppg).
Out of the eight games he’s played in, he failed to score in double figures just once. That game was their season opener against the Boston Celtics, where he dropped just four points on 1-for-9 shooting. In the seven other games, he managed to score 20 or more five times.
What has dipped for Embiid to concerning levels is his rebounding, as he’s averaged only 4.1 boards per game. Still, this is something that can be expected from someone recovering from a leg injury.
While his recovery journey has been a wild ride, the Sixers appear to be finding some stability elsewhere. Tyrese Maxey continues to grow into an offensive powerhouse and leader, ranking third in points per game with 31.6 heading into Sunday’s contest.
Still, a healthy Embiid would be a welcome sight, as his consistent presence could elevate the squad to a higher level of play.
