The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. This is the first game of a two-game set for these teams, as they’ll have Thursday off before battling again on Friday night.
Both the 76ers and Cavaliers are currently sitting at 22 wins, so the next couple of games could prove crucial later in the season. The 76ers have dealt with numerous injuries this season, but the health of the team’s stars remains uncertain ahead of Wednesday night’s game.
76ers Injury Report vs. Cavaliers For Wednesday Night Matchup
Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Kelly Oubre Jr. have all missed significant time this season. All three players participated in the team’s last game, against the Raptors on Monday, and the team secured a 115-102 victory.
Although ahead of Wednesday’s tilt with the Cavaliers, George, Embiid, Oubre Jr., and rookie V.J. Edgecombe all appear on the team’s injury report:
- Paul George – Day-To-Day
- Joel Embiid – Day-To-Day
- Kelly Oubre Jr. – Day-To-Day
- V.J. Edgecombe – Day-To-Day
The good news is that all four are considered probable to play on Wednesday night. Oubre is dealing with an illness, Edgecombe has a left adductor contusion, and Embiid and George are both nursing a knee injury.
Obviously, these are some of the most critical players on the team, so any of them missing would be a significant loss.
George has played in 21 games so far and is averaging 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Embiid has played in 20 contests and is averaging 23.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
Edgecombe has impressed during his rookie campaign, playing in 34 games. The wing is averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, while shooting 42.7% from the field and 38.2% from deep.
Meanwhile, Oubre has suited up for 16 games and is shooting a career-best 47.4% from the field while averaging 13.9 points per game.
76ers Looking to Stay in Top Half of Eastern Conference
Entering Wednesday’s game, the Sixers are 22-16 and in possession of the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, Orlando Magic, and Cavaliers are all locked at 22 wins, but the Sixers have the fewest losses.
According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Sixers rank 13th in net offensive rating and 11th in net defensive ranking. Keeping Embiid, George, Edgecombe, and Oubre healthy will be crucial, as this team appears to be a contender when at full strength.
Additionally, Tyrese Maxey has been one of the best guards in the league this year. The Kentucky product is playing an insane 39.6 minutes per game and averaging an efficient 30.9 points per game on 48.0% shooting from the field.
