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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a foul during the first half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Coming off a blowout loss on the road in Michigan, the Philadelphia 76ers were looking forward to getting an update on the star center Joel Embiid on Friday, March 13.
Heading into the Thursday matchup against the Pistons, the Sixers realized they are in desperate need of help at the center position. Not a single center on the roster was healthy enough to play.
Johni Broome has been out for weeks after getting knee surgery. Adem Bona was ruled out hours before the game due to a back issue, while Andre Drummond’s back spasms prevented him from playing as well.
Then, there’s Joel Embiid. The superstar big man has been dealing with an oblique strain for multiple weeks now.
The Sixers dropped Thursday’s action with a 131-109 loss. They fell to 35-31 on the year.
76ers Announce Early Call On Joel Embiid vs Nets
Joel Embiid
GettyJoel Embiid’s injury woes continue.
Before revealing a detailed update on where Embiid is in his recovery, the 76ers center has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Nets.
Frequent injuries have been an issue for Embiid throughout his career. The situation hasn’t been any different in 2025-2026. Although Embiid looked quite healthy from early December up until early February, multiple setbacks have affected his availability down the stretch of the season. An oblique strain is just one of several issues.
Before the All-Star break, Embiid was out of the lineup due to knee soreness. He missed two games before the break and was out for the first two games when the season resumed. He checked in for 26 minutes against the Indiana Pacers on February 24, and then finished a 31-minute shift against the Miami Heat two nights later.
Since March 1, Embiid has been out of the lineup. By missing Thursday’s game, Embiid has been out for seven games in a row. Saturday will make it eight in a row.
The Sixers’ Long List Of Concerns
GettyBOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics after the game at TD Garden on October 22, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
When he’s on the court, Embiid remains one of the most dominant players at his position. Even when he’s strapped to a minutes restriction, he changes the entire dynamic for the Sixers.
This season, Embiid has posted averages of 26.6 points (49% FG), 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. The team is 21-12 when he’s available.
But it’s not just Embiid who is having availability concerns at this point. The veteran guard Tyrese Maxey recently suffered a tendon injury in his pinkie. He’s expected to miss at least three weeks of action, with the recovery timeline beginning this week.
Kelly Oubre was another starter added to the injury report this week. The veteran forward is recovering from an elbow sprain, which will keep him out for at least two weeks.
While Paul George isn’t injured, the veteran forward is serving a league-issued suspension. His 25-game ban will be lifted near the end of March, but he’s still going to miss a stretch of games when the Sixers could use his help.
The Sixers will return to the court on Saturday to take on the Brooklyn Nets at 1 PM ET.