Embiid officially questionable for play-in game; Heat rule out Rozier

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Embiid officially questionable for play-in game; Heat rule out Rozier originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Official injury report aside, all signs point to Joel Embiid being available for the 2023-24 Sixers’ biggest game yet.

The Sixers listed Embiid as questionable for Wednesday night’s clash vs. the Heat with a “left knee injury recovery” designation.

That’s not uncommon at all for Embiid, who Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said fully participated in the team’s practices Monday and Tuesday.

After returning from a left meniscus injury, Embiid has five appearances under his belt, including a 29-point performance in the Sixers’ April 4 win over the Heat. Though Embiid sat out the Sixers’ regular-season finale against the Nets, Nurse said that absence was “out of caution” and Embiid would be “ready to go” moving forward.

It would be quite surprising if the All-Star center missed a crucial play-in tournament game.

“He was in good spirits,” Nurse said Monday of Embiid. “He was highly engaged. A lot of things we were doing were super game plan-specific. He was locked in.”

The Sixers expectedly ruled out De’Anthony Melton (back injury recovery) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise). KJ Martin was questionable because of a left great toe contusion.

On the Heat side, Terry Rozier remained out with neck spasms. Miami listed Duncan Robinson (left facet syndrome) as probable.

The Heat acquired Rozier and dealt away Kyle Lowry in late January. With Rozier out, Tyler Herro will presumably start and fill an important shot-creation role for Miami’s offense.

Herro has been able to play the last six games since coming back from a right foot injury. He suffered a broken hand in the opening game of Miami’s first-round playoff series last year against the Bucks and didn’t play again during the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals.

“He’s certainly a guy they go to, to create offense,” Nurse said Tuesday. “There’s certain lineups in the past where they’ve used him as a primary scorer. And he’s also got a good little two-man thing with Bam (Adebayo) going. … I believe he’ll be…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/embiid-officially-questionable-play-game-225005184.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-04-16 22:59:36

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