After a 2-2 journey on the road, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to make their way back home for a rematch against the Chicago Bulls.
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After a 2-2 journey on the road, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to make their way back home for a rematch against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The participation of the reigning Most Valuable Player, Joel Embiid, remains uncertain.
With a record of 2-5 this season when Joel Embiid is absent, the Sixers faced the challenge as Embiid missed the road trip due to a sprained right ankle.
In the recent 105-92 defeat against the Bulls on Saturday, Philadelphia seemed to lack energy without Embiid. Tyrese Maxey contributed 20 points, and Tobias Harris added 15, but the Sixers recorded their season-low point total in the game.
For the 76ers, Embiid (ankle injury), Melton (back injury), and Springer (illness) will not be playing the game. As for the Bulls, Ball (knee injury), Bitim (broken nose), Craig (heel injury), LaVine (foot injury), and Vucevic (groin injury) will be sitting this one out.
There was a positive development for the Sixers on Saturday as Nicolas Batum made his comeback after sitting out five games due to a strained right hamstring. In the grand scheme, the Sixers acknowledge that to fulfill their long-term aspirations, having Joel Embiid is essential. Philadelphia hasn’t advanced to the conference finals since 2001 and hasn’t secured an NBA championship since 1983.
In Joel Embiid’s absence, center Andre Drummond seized the opportunity, contributing 15 points, 23 rebounds, and three blocked shots. The Bulls wrapped up 2023 with a 9-5 record for the month of December. Now, their objective is to sustain this winning momentum as the calendar transitions to 2024.
The triumph wasn’t without its challenges, as the Bulls registered 16 turnovers. However, given their limited bench depth, they managed to secure the win. Despite positive progress among the injured players, the Bulls need to prioritize ball security due to their thin bench. The margin for error is evidently slimmer in this scenario.
Amidst trade rumors linking his name, LaVine, sidelined for the past 15 games due to right foot inflammation, was designated to the Windy City Bulls in the G League on Sunday for a rehabilitation stint.
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