76ers: Was Joel Embiid’s Calf an Issue vs. Milwaukee Bucks?

Considering Joel Embiid's been battling a calf issue lately, was he held back against the Bucks on Sunday?

The Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. The matchup marked the fourth and final time the Sixers and the Bucks would battle it out this season.

In the previous three matchups, the Sixers succeeded over the Bucks on two occasions. In the two victories, Sixers center Joel Embiid scored over 30 points in each outing, while dishing out at least eight assists. 

When Embiid and the Sixers paid a visit to the Bucks on Sunday, they simply didn’t have an answer for Milwaukee’s stellar offensive attack. 

In the first quarter, the Bucks drained 70 percent of their 23 shots. Outscoring the Sixers 41-26, the Bucks led from the beginning of the game and never looked back.

Embiid typically has the star power to will his team to win, but he couldn’t get it done on Sunday night. Spending 31 minutes on the court, Embiid put up 25 shots in Milwaukee, 11 of which were successful.

The big man put up seven threes and only got one to fall. Embiid finished the game with 28 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. 

Considering Embiid has been battling calf tightness over the last week and a half, one might think that the setback played a part in his struggles on Sunday night, but Embiid didn’t use that as an excuse after the game.

“It’s alright,” Embiid explained when asked about his calf, according to Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin. “It’s getting better.”

Since the Sixers’ March 22nd road game against the Chicago Bulls, Embiid has been battling calf tightness. The big man played in the following two games, despite going into the matchups listed as questionable.

After taking a night off against the Denver Nuggets last Monday, Embiid returned to the floor and played in the following two games before taking on the Bucks on Sunday night for the third-straight matchup. 

Embiid didn’t lead anybody to believe that his calf played a part in a rather quiet night from him. Overall, the Sixers struggled to gain any advantage over the Bucks.

From start to finish, Milwaukee had control of the game. The Sixers were issued their 27th loss of the year as the Bucks picked up a 117-104 win. Next up on the calendar, the Sixers have the Boston Celtics, who will come to Philly on Tuesday night. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.