Bulls Star Questionable, Joel Embiid Probable for 76ers' Game Against Chicago

The Philadelphia 76ers (8-2) are looking to bounce back after suffering their second loss of the season as they take on the Chicago Bulls (1-7) Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET. This will be their second meeting, and the 76ers took care of business and are 1-0 against the Bulls. There will be at least one important piece missing for Philadelphia, however.

Here is the injury report for the 76ers-Bulls:

76ERS

Dominick Barlow - Out: Low Back Stress Reaction

Adem Bona - Out: Cervical Spine Sprain

Joel Embiid - Probable: Right Foot Plantar Fascia Injury Management

Ariel Hukporti - Out: Right Achilles Tendon Rupture / Tear

BULLS

Tobe Awaka - Questionable: Left MCL Sprain

Nic Claxton - Questionable: Left Hamstring Strain

Zach Collins - Out: Respiratory Illness

Norman Powell - Questionable: Right Shoulder Inflammation / Soreness

Jaylin Sellers - Out: G League - Two-Way

Jalen Smith - Probable: Left Finger Sprain

Dailyn Swain - Out: Right Disc Irritation

The 76ers could be looking at another win streak after they were embarrassed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. One possible reason for that is the loss of Adem Bona. Bona missed the game against the Cavaliers, and it’s possible that he could miss quite a few as he recovers from a neck injury. This means that head coach Nick Nurse will have to lean more on Jabari Walker and Dean Wade. In the minutes that Walker played, he showcased his high energy and what an asset he can be for the team in those non-Embiid minutes.

Nic Claxton and Zac Collins missing this matchup is huge and can give the 76ers the same advantages as last time. The paint should be theirs for the taking. Adding in the fact that this team is third-worst in points allowed, head coach Nick Nurse is going to have to find a way to capitalize.  The Bulls struggle to shoot the ball. and their sporadic shooting is going to be key. Actually, this could be the very thing that this 76ers team needs. Embiid struggled with shooting, and Maxey had a hard time getting things going. There will be plenty of opportunities to push the ball up court. Truthfully, this speaks to the strengths of this 76er team, who love to get out in transition. 

The bench is going to have to be essential in this matchup. They have struggled shooting, and it could be their chance to find their footing. Anfernee Simons has been the only thing that has given this team any jolt of life. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been tremendous defensively, but he can’t get ten points. These injuries will see him having to put points on the scoreboard.

The 76ers are in need of a confidence boost; this game against the Bulls can do just that.