The Philadelphia 76ers will aim to avoid an 0-3 start when they visit the Indiana Pacers for a Sunday matinee in Indianapolis, despite the absence of their star center, Joel Embiid. The Sixers lost their second game of the season on Friday, falling 115-107 to the Toronto Raptors, after dropping their opener 124-109 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA is investigating Embiid’s absence, as he has been sitting out due to left knee maintenance, having missed preseason games and scrimmages. Last season’s MVP played just 39 games due to injury.
Without Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre have stepped up for the Sixers. Oubre scored 28 points against Toronto, while Maxey had 24 points but struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 2 of 12. Philadelphia’s overall three-point shooting has been poor, at 28.3% so far this season. Coach Nick Nurse highlighted the challenge of finding the right player combinations early in the season. Andre Drummond, filling in for Embiid, has been limited due to foul trouble, committing 10 fouls in two games.
Indiana, hosting its home opener, seeks to capitalize on Philadelphia’s struggles. After a promising 115-109 win at Detroit, the Pacers suffered a 123-98 blowout loss to the New York Knicks. Bennedict Mathurin, returning from a shoulder injury, scored 19 points off the bench in the win and 20 points in the loss.
Tyrese Haliburton, an All-NBA star last season, went scoreless on 0-of-8 shooting against New York. The Pacers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 3 of 30, with only Mathurin and Jarace Walker connecting from deep. Haliburton, who led the NBA in assists last season, has only nine assists through the first two games. Both teams will look to improve their early-season form in this matchup.
