Joel Embiid is questionable to play for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in opposition to reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. “The Course of” has been coping with proper calf tightness since Mar. 20 in Philly’s 109-105 double-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The All-Star heart, although, hasn’t missed any video games, together with back-to-back matches in opposition to Golden State on Friday and Phoenix on Saturday regardless of the harm.
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Embiid, who handed Jokic as the favourite for this season’s NBA MVP award, will seemingly not move up the chance to play. He dominated “The Joker” of their first assembly final Jan. 28 and will probably be trying to do the identical tonight.
Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers, when requested by reporters about Joel Embiid’s standing in opposition to the Nuggets, preached a wait-and-see strategy. It’ll be a disgrace to not see the main NBA MVP contenders go head-to-head in a vital match if Embiid is unavailable.
Philly are 10-5 over their previous 15 video games regardless of having arguably the hardest schedule within the NBA for the reason that All-Star break. Embiid has averaged 34.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 4.5 apg and a couple of.1 bpg.
In the meantime, the LA Clippers caught a giant break when assessments on Kawhi Leonard’s face revealed no severe harm. After exiting early final Saturday in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans, the two-time NBA Finals MVP has been dominated possible.
The Clippers dodged a bullet as Leonard’s facial contusion isn’t worse than many thought. LA will already miss the providers of Paul George for the remainder of the common season because of a sprained proper knee. They will’t afford to lose “The Claw” to a different harm.
The LA Clippers are solely 8-6 for the reason that All-Star break. Regardless of their so-so previous few weeks, they nonetheless have a shot at grabbing at the least a top-four spot within the Western Convention. LA (39-36) is simply half a sport behind the Phoenix Suns (39-35) for the fourth seed.
Kawhi Leonard will probably be essential for them to achieve the place they need to be because the Clippers don’t have George and Norman Powell.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Proper knee soreness; Injured since November 10, 2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been coping with proper knee soreness for virtually the complete season. He missed 5 straight video games in mid-January because of the identical challenge. The 2-time NBA MVP has additionally handled different accidents nevertheless it’s been his knee that has made him a staple within the harm report.
Antetokounmpo is anticipated to be obtainable tonight in opposition to the Detroit Pistons. The possible standing could seemingly be simply precautionary for the Milwaukee Bucks after he performed back-to-back video games final Friday and Saturday.
The Bucks (53-21) are actually simply 1.5 video games forward of the Boston Celtics (52-23) for the most effective file within the Japanese Convention. “The Greek Freak” and his teammates will certainly need to take the highest seed within the East for home-court benefit all through the playoffs.
He’s prone to be in uniform tonight in opposition to the Pistons.
James Harden: Left Achilles soreness; Injured since: March 20, 2023
James Harden has missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ previous three video games because of a sore left Achilles. He will probably be questionable but once more tonight when the 76ers tackle the most effective group within the Western Convention record-wise.
The previous NBA MVP was restricted in his final apply with Philly, which left his availability unsure. De’Anthony Melton may get one other begin if Harden is unavailable.
