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Joel Embiid’s Playing Status for 76ers-Celtics Revealed

Will Joel Embiid face the Celtics on Wednesday?

Justin Grasso

Nov 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) defends Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) defends Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images / Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Throughout the 2024-2025 NBA season, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been in and out of the lineup. As he entered the season with a clear plan to take extended rest to manage the knee injury he suffered last year, Embiid has been more cautious than ever.

Fortunately, he isn’t expected to miss time on Wednesday when the Sixers pay a visit to the Boston Celtics to be a part of the yearly Christmas Day slate.

According to the NBA’s official injury report, Embiid is listed due to a right sinus fracture. However, he is available to play.

At the start of the season, Embiid missed the first nine games. He made his debut on November 12 against the New York Knicks. The following night, Embiid rested as the Sixers competed in a back-to-back set.

After Embiid returned on November 15, he appeared in three games in a row for the first time this year. After experiencing swelling in his knee following the November 20 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, Embiid was absent for seven games.

The big man returned on December 8 to face the Chicago Bulls. One game later, Embiid started experiencing his latest setback after suffering a sinus fracture. Since the diagnosis, Embiid has missed two of the Sixers’ last four games.

Against the Charlotte Hornets, Embiid produced 34 points and nine assists. Prior to his ejection after 14 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs, Embiid racked up nine points and one assist.

The Sixers look forward to getting their big man back on the floor for Wednesday’s action against the Celtics. The game is set to tip-off at 5 PM ET.

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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

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