Joel Embiid has been at the center of a changing offensive strategy and a bizarre series of social media posts, leaving fans wondering what is happening with The Process. After playing in Monday’s game against the Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers benched Embiid for Wednesday’s clash against the Wizards due to an illness. He wasn’t on the initial injury report and was added the morning of the game, prompting confusion among fans eager to see him in action on the hardwood.
Joel Embiid called this report an April Fool’s Day prank, but later posted, “I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!” Building on that, his availability for Friday night’s clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves remains bleak with the emergence of this illness.
Joel Embiid Listed as “Doubtful” for 76ers vs. Timberwolves
As the 76ers prepare to host the Timberwolves tonight, the 2022-23 MVP’s playing status remains the biggest question mark hanging over the Xfinity Mobile Arena. In the latest injury report, Joel Embiid is not ruled out but has been called “Doubtful” for Good Friday’s game.
The regular season is winding down, and the 76ers are currently sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 42-34 record. With only six games remaining, every game is a sprint to avoid the play-in tournament, as the seventh-place Toronto Raptors (42-34) and eighth-place Charlotte Hornets (41-36) are closing in.
Joel Embiid returned to the lineup on March 25 after missing 13 straight games with a right oblique strain sustained against the Miami Heat in late February. After he missed the team’s morning film session on April 1 because he wasn’t feeling well, the staff was prompted to take measures and ruled him out due to illness.
During the pregame news conference, Philly head coach Nick Nurse said, “He (Joel Embiid) obviously played the other night through some of it. But they just decided that, a couple days here in a row [of feeling ill], that needed to get checked out.”
This season, Embiid is averaging 26.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.0% from beyond the arc.
Impact of a Sidelined Embiid Against the Timberwolves
Without their rim protector, the 76ers are in for a challenge against a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that boasts a 46-30 record and a .605 winning percentage. If Joel Embiid doesn’t play, the team will have to shift and lean on Andre Drummond and his 8.4 rebounds for post dominance and to combat Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert’s size.
With Tyrese Maxey averaging 28.8 points and 6.8 assists per game on 46.3% shooting and Paul George contributing 17.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, the pressure mounts on the duo.
Despite Anthony Edwards’ absence due to a knee injury, the Timberwolves have remained competitive this season. They have an offensive rating of 116.6 and a defensive rating of 112.9, yielding a net rating of 3.7 compared to the 76ers’ 115.0 ORTG, 116.0 DRTG, and -0.1 NETRTG.
With tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET, Philly fans hold their breath, hoping for a last-minute status change that will put the seven-time All-Star back on the floor.
