76ers vs. Wizards: Joel Embiid's Playing Status for Monday

The Philadelphia 76ers will be shorthanded for the second time in three games on Monday night as their star center Joel Embiid will miss the matchup against the Washington Wizards due to an illness, according to Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia. According to the Sixers’ injury report, Embiid’s illness is non-COVID-related.

Last week, when the Sixers fired up their road trip, beginning with a two-game stand in Toronto against the Raptors, Embiid played in the Wednesday night matchup, which resulted in a loss. Two nights later, as the Sixers prepared for their rematch against the Raptors, Embiid was added to the injury report.

Per the Sixers, Embiid was questionable due to knee injury management. When Doc Rivers was asked about the star center before tip-off, he revealed that Embiid’s knee was sore and it was nothing to be concerned about. Although Rivers was optimistic about Embiid’s status, the big man was held out of Friday’s matchup.

When Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bulls rolled around, Embiid was removed from the injury report. Therefore, he was cleared for action against the Bulls. The All-Star checked into the matchup for 31 minutes. After the game, Embiid admitted that he’s been in an uphill battle getting back to being one hundred percent.

“I was struggling,” said Embiid. “I’m getting back to myself slowly. I’m just glad we’re able to win and get a big win in Toronto and tonight. So, we got to go on a run right here. We started off bad, so we got to make up for it.” 

This week, Embiid is back on the Sixers’ injury report, but for different reasons. According to the 76ers, Embiid’s questionable status for Monday was a result of a non-COVID illness. While he isn’t expected to be out long-term, the big man will get the night off on Monday with hopes of returning to the floor on Wednesday to face the Washington Wizards once again.