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UPDATE: Embiid is not listed on the injury report at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday ahead of Friday’s game vs. the Rockets. So we can assume that Embiid will return to the lineup and start, per usual. We’ll update you with any developments, but for now, Biid is good to go.
UPDATE: Joel Embiid returned to practice as a full participant on Thursday.
Joel Embiid was a full participant in today’s practice.
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) January 2, 2020
James Ennis (stomach illness) did not participate, Kyle O’Quinn (illness) was a partial participant
Embiid was held out of the Sixers’ loss to the Pacers on New Year’s Eve. Now, it appears he’s on track to return to the lineup Friday when Philly takes on the Houston Rockets. That’ll be the last game the Sixers play this week, so we also could see Embiid just take a seat again for rest. Stay tuned for updates.
Philadelphia 76ers C Joel Embiid will not play Tuesday vs. the Indiana Pacers.
Joel Embiid is OUT tonight with left knee soreness.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 31, 2019
This is a bit of a surprise, but it’s also New Year’s Eve and we know Embiid is going to rage tonight. Seriously though, the knee soreness is likely just additional rest for the big man. The Sixers don’t play again until Friday and it’s their last game of the week.
Fantasy Basketball Analysis: Philadelphia 76ers C Joel Embiid
As always is the case with Embiid being out, we’ll see Al Horford shift over to center and Mike Scott or Furkan Korkmaz enter the starting lineup. I imagine Scott will get a decent amount of run against Indiana. Tobias Harris is a big benefactor of Embiid being out. Harris should see more touches on offense.
Right now, the Pacers are getting points at home against the Sixers. Now would be a good time to get in on that line with Embiid ruled out. The Pacers are a playoff team and are tough defensively, so this game should be lower scoring without Embiid in there. The O/U on DraftKings Sportsbook is 212, which is really low to begin with, so it’s something worth tracking for the next hour or so before the game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET.