The 76ers will continue to find ways to win without Joel Embiid out of the lineup who suffered a right oblique strain.
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to be without Joel Embiid for at least the next three games.
The seven-time All-Star suffered a right oblique strain, the 76ers announced Saturday.
Embiid sustained the injury during the 76ers' 124-117 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday when Embiid took a hit in the midsection from Heat center Kel'el Ware. He briefly returned to the locker room before ultimately finishing the contest.
Despite spending much of the contest in pain, he still managed to drop 26 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes, helping the 76ers win, including a game-clinching three-pointer.
Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice reported that the star center was experiencing increasing soreness in his right side on Saturday morning and did not practice with the team.
Embiid will not be available for Sunday's matchup against the Boston Celtics, who are still without Jayson Tatum, who is out with a torn Achilles. He will be evaluated after the team's home back-to-back when they return home to take on the San Antonio Spurs. They then continue their homestand when the Sixers take on the 18-41 Utah Jazz on Wednesday, March 4.
The 76ers are still clinging to their postseason hopes. They hold a 1.5-game lead over the Orlando Magic for the No. 6 seed. The 76ers managed to pick up some key wins with Embiid back in the lineup, notably stinging the Indiana Pacers before their matchup against the Heat.
However, the test is maintaining consistency with Embiid in the lineup. He recently missed five games due to right knee soreness in that span; the team went 1-4. Fortunately for the 76ers, they have become accustomed to playing without Embiid, who has missed 28 games so far this season.
However, it's clear that the Sixers are a better team with Embiid in the lineup. Embiid has returned to All-Star form, averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. They are going to need him to play more if they want a chance at the postseason during this final stretch of the regular season.
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Elijah Hamilton is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable.