76ers vs. Nuggets: Joel Embiid’s Playing Status on Tuesday

Will Joel Embiid face the Nuggets on Tuesday?
76ers vs. Nuggets: Joel Embiid’s Playing Status on Tuesday
76ers vs. Nuggets: Joel Embiid’s Playing Status on Tuesday /

The Denver Nuggets are in town to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. 

The matchup marks the second game of a back-to-back set for the Sixers, who hosted the Houston Rockets for a Monday afternoon battle.

In the past, Joel Embiid's playing status always came into question when it came to back-to-back sets. And since Embiid returned from a multi-game absence due to a setback, it was surprising to see the big man avoid the injury report for Tuesday's game against Denver.

After making his highly-anticipated return to the court on Monday, the trend will continue for Embiid on Tuesday night, as he's officially cleared for action and in the starting five for the night.

Recently, Embiid’s been dealing with swelling in his knee after twisting it during a matchup against the New York Knicks earlier this month.

Heading into the Monday afternoon matchup, Embiid was upgraded to questionable and viewed as a game-time decision. After going through his pregame warmups, the big man was cleared for action.

In his first set of action since the recent setback, Embiid checked in for 31 minutes. He put up 21 shots from the floor, draining over 50 percent of his attempts. He also went to the free throw line for 17 shots, making all but one of his attempts.

Embiid finished Monday’s game with a game-high 41 points. He made it a double-double by collecting ten rebounds. The Sixers put the Rockets away with a 124-115 victory, collecting their second straight after defeating the Sacramento Kings late last week.

On Tuesday, the NBA Champions are in town. It marks the first of two matchups between the Sixers and the Denver Nuggets. 


Published
Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA