All-Star center Joel Embiid won’t be making his season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies, despite earlier hopes. Embiid, who hasn’t played in the preseason or the first four games of the regular season, is still building strength in his surgically repaired left knee.
Although Embiid participated fully in Sixers practice on Friday, including 5-on-5 scrimmages, he is not yet ready for live game action. He expressed frustration over media accusations questioning his commitment, stating that he’s doing everything he can to return to the court. The former NBA MVP isn’t the only missing Sixers star. Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract over the summer, also hasn’t played this season as he recovers from a left knee injury.
This situation puts more pressure on standout guard Tyrese Maxey and veterans like Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, and Andre Drummond. Maxey scored 32 points in Wednesday’s lopsided loss to the Detroit Pistons, but Gordon, Lowry, and Drummond combined for just 15 points in 64 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are about to embark on a stretch of five out of seven games on the road, starting with Saturday’s matchup. Memphis is coming off a 122-99 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, where Ja Morant recorded 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds—one of the fastest triple-doubles in NBA history, achieved in just 21 minutes and 28 seconds.
The Grizzlies held the Bucks to 9-of-42 shooting (21.4 percent) from 3-point range, part of a 42.7 percent shooting effort overall. They also limited Milwaukee’s three backcourt threats—Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., and Pat Connaughton—to a combined 6-of-31 shooting, including 1-of-18 from long range.
The Sixers and Grizzlies have split their season series in each of the past three years. They will meet again in Memphis on November 20.
