The struggling Philadelphia 76ers delivered mixed news on the injury front Friday.
Star center Joel Embiid will miss his fourth consecutive game when the 76ers visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Embiid is sidelined due to left-knee-injury management and personal reasons.
Paul George, who has been out since November 20 with a left knee bone bruise, is listed as questionable after participating in Friday’s practice. Caleb Martin, who missed Wednesday’s overtime loss to Houston with a back injury, is also questionable.
Teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he was encouraged by George’s performance in practice, suggesting that George could help lift the team out of their slump.
Martin, while not at full strength, is hopeful of playing on Saturday.
Philadelphia desperately needs all hands on deck. The Sixers entered the season with championship aspirations, adding George, Martin, and other free agents to complement Embiid and high-scoring guard Tyrese Maxey. However, they currently stand at 3-14, having lost seven of their last eight games.
Detroit, meanwhile, secured its first win of the season against the Sixers with a 105-95 victory in Philadelphia on October 30. Pistons guards Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham combined for 45 points and 10 assists that night. Since then, Detroit has played .500 ball.
The Pistons will be on the second night of a back-to-back set on Saturday. They delivered arguably their best game of the season on Friday, defeating Indiana on the road 130-106 in an NBA Cup matchup.
Detroit shot 57.8 percent from the field and had three players score over 20 points: Malik Beasley (25), Cunningham (24), and Ivey (23).
Cunningham, returning from a three-game absence due to a hip injury, contributed 11 of the Pistons’ 35 assists.
Beasley is one of several veterans brought in by the Pistons’ front office to provide stability. Cunningham, Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson have all benefited from their presence.
Coming off the worst season in franchise history (14-68), the Pistons are currently 9-12. They last finished at .500 or better in the 2018-19 season.
