PHILADELPHIA, PA — Ahead of Philadelphia 76ers‘ head coach Nick Nurse’s pregame availability, the Sixers announced that star center Joel Embiid and veteran guard Kyle Lowry would miss the quickly approaching game against the Phoenix Suns.
According to the Sixers, Embiid will sit due to a lingering left foot sprain that has affected him for the past couple of games. This will mark Embiid’s 21st missed game of the season. For reference, the Sixers’ matchup against the Suns will be their 34th of the season.
Embiid’s absence is unfortunate for a variety of reasons, from the obvious injury to Embiid to the loss for the home crowd to the loss of a chance for Philadelphia’s Big 3, who have played just 192 minutes out of a possible 1584 minutes together. Then there’s the fact that a recent lineup change by the Suns works in favor of Embiid to continue to build confidence.
Phoenix comes into Philadelphia losers of four straight and is set to debut a new-look starting lineup against the Sixers, having moved Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic to the bench in favor of Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee.
Despite their recent lack of success, the Suns remain a talented team, one that won’t be easy to overcome. The Sixers will have to once again make do with what they have as they hope to continue their push toward the postseason.
