An intriguing matchup becomes a lot less intriguing.
On the second half of a back-to-back, Joel Embiid will sit out the Philadelphia 76ers’ Monday contest against the Miami Heat due to back soreness.
On second night of back-to-back, Sixers center Joel Embiid is being downgraded to out tonight vs the Heat ( back soreness), sources told ESPN.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 21, 2022
Beyond his three-week COVID absence, Embiid has hardly been sidelined this season. Monday will mark just his fourth missed game independent of his bout with COVID. As of the 1:30 p.m. injury report, Embiid was the lone non-G League assignee listed for the Sixers.
For Miami, Jimmy Butler (right ankle sprain) and Caleb Martin (hyperextended left knee) are questionable, while Victor Oladipo (back spasms), Gabe Vincent (toe contusion) and Kyle Guy (G League assignment) are all out.
Although Embiid being ruled out doesn’t guarantee a loss, it certainly makes things much tougher. A loss would also almost assuredly prevent Philadelphia from catching Miami for the East’s top seed — not that it was likely anyway. Ahead of Monday’s game, Philadelphia is 3.5 games back and already lost the season series between these clubs.
The Heat and Sixers will tip off at 7:30 p.m.