Is Joel Embiid playing tonight against Nuggets? Latest injury update on 76ers’ star ahead of matchup (March 27, 2023)
Joel Embiid has played through the tightness in his right calf for the past three games. The Philadelphia 76ers’ double overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on March 20 was beginning to feel uncomfortable. In the following game, he played just 16 minutes in a rematch against the Bulls, in part because of Philly’s overwhelming win.
“The Process” has been questionable by the Sixers in his last three games but has still managed to help his team. He has the same designation when Philadelphia will face off against NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
After the Sixers lost to the Phoenix Suns 125-105 on Saturday, Philly head coach Doc Rivers declined to give Embiid’s media status for tonight. However, Embiid should hardly be able to play if he is medically cleared just for the delicious duel against “The Joker”.
Joel Embiid has overtaken Nikola Jokic in the current MVP rankings. Embiid’s performance tonight, if he plays, could draw voters to his side and win the prize he’s lost to Jokic over the past two years.
In the Philadelphia 76ers’ first meeting against the Denver Nuggets on January 28, Embiid outplayed Jokic in Philly. The Process ended the night with a game high of 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. He strangled the game and declared that he was the best player on both ends of the floor.
If he can repeat that dominance against Nikola Jokic tonight, the MVP race could be over.
What’s Joel Embiid’s status against the Denver Nuggets tonight?
Joel Embiid was ruled questionable for his marquee matchup against the Denver Nuggets. A sore right calf has kept him on the injury report for the past three games.
The Philadelphia 76ers are 1-2 as he felt discomfort from the closeness. He averaged 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists during that stretch. Embiid also hits 53.1% of his shots and 86.5% of his free throws.
It remains to be seen whether the narrowness still bothers him. Philadelphia’s coaching staff will be watching him closely during this morning’s shootaround and pregame warm-ups.
What influence does Joel Embiid have on the Philadelphia 76ers?
Joel Embiid is at the heart of everything the Philadelphia 76ers do on both ends of the parquet. Philly’s offensive and defensive game plan will be significantly different if the six-time NBA All-Star is unavailable.
“The Process” will probably win the scoring title for the second year in a row. He averaged 30.6 PPG last year and has unbelievably surpassed it this season with 33.3 PPG. Embiid’s dominance shines throughout the game as he also contributes 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks.
The Philadelphia 76ers are legitimate title contenders because of their ultra-talented big man.
You might also like to read: Joel Embiid MVP Odds: DeMarcus Cousins predicts 6x All-Star to win the award
Edited by
Michael Macasero