Sixers head coach Nick Nurse
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse
With a matchup in Michigan on Thursday, March 12, the Philadelphia 76ers are facing major concerns at the center position against the Detroit Pistons.
Going into the matchup, the Sixers are 5-5 over their last 10 games. They managed to pick up a shorthanded win against the struggling Memphis Grizzlies earlier this week, but they are still in danger of slipping down the standings further.
A game against the top-seeded Pistons surely places the Sixers in a tough spot, especially considering the circumstances on Philadelphia’s injury report.
Joel Embiid’s Backups Land On The 76ers’ Injury Report
Sixers big man Andre Drummond
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSixers big man Andre Drummond
Joel Embiid, Adem Bona, and now Andre Drummond have all been added to the Sixers’ injury report. The rookie, Johni Broome, has been out as he recovers from knee surgery. His timetable for a return is unconfirmed.
Bona was downgraded on the Sixers’ injury report as early as Wednesday night. He was initially listed as questionable due to back soreness. As the Sixers prepared for the Thursday night matchup in Detroit, the 76ers made an early decision on Bona’s status.
The second-year center will miss the action, as he’s been ruled out.
This season, Bona has appeared in 56 games, seeing the court for 17.2 minutes per game. He is shooting 59% from the field, averaging 4.6 points per game. The young veteran has also come down with 4.3 rebounds per game.
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Andre Drummond (back) downgraded to questionable Thursday.
Just as the Sixers downgraded Bona, they also added Andre Drummond to the injury report. He is considered questionable due to back spasms.
Drummond is in the midst of his second stint with the Sixers. After playing in 49 games for the team in 2021-2022, Drummond returned on a two-year deal in 2024. He spent 40 games on the court last season, missing a lot of time due to multiple setbacks. This year, Drummond has appeared in 49 games, picking up 24 starts.
The veteran has posted averages of 6.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
With Bona and Joel Embiid already out, the Sixers could roll into the Pistons game without one of their listed centers on the roster.
What’s The Latest On Joel Embiid?
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Sixers’ star center suffered an oblique injury against the Miami Heat on February 26. After Embiid missed three games in a row, the Sixers listed him as out for the next week. At that point, it was clear he would miss four more games of action.
Thursday’s outing against the Pistons marks Embiid’s fourth absence during that span. It will be his seventh-straight absence since going down with this setback. Since the Sixers returned from the All-Star break on February 19, Embiid has missed all but two of the team’s 11 games.
The Sixers should have a health update on Embiid soon enough. For now, they’ll focus on the guys they do have healthy.
The Pistons and the Sixers will tip at 7 PM ET.