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Sixers Reveal Joel Embiid’s Final Playing Status vs. Miami Heat

Will the Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid on the court against the Miami Heat?

Justin Grasso

Feb 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives
Feb 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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With the 2023-2024 NBA season winding down to its final stretch, every game matters more to the Philadelphia 76ers. On Thursday, the Sixers will battle it out against an Eastern Conference rival, the Miami Heat, in a game that could have major playoff implications.

Therefore, the status of the star center Joel Embiid is critical. With Embiid this season, the Sixers have established themselves as one of the toughest competitors in the East.

Being that the one-time MVP was putting together a strong campaign to win the trophy in back-to-back years, Embiid was the focal point of Philly’s success early on in the regular season.

When he went out following a January 30 matchup against the Golden State Warriors, the Sixers found it difficult to stay on top of their game.

Dealing with a meniscus injury, Embiid chose to get surgery, which required at least eight weeks of recovery. Earlier this week, Embiid made it back on time, as he was upgraded to available on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As expected, Embiid played fewer than 30 minutes but his impact on the game was still certainly felt. He accounted for 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the upset win over OKC.

Heading into the matchup against Miami, the Sixers listed Embiid as questionable. When the team participated in a morning shootaround session, the veteran center was present, which was a positive sign he could be ready to return to the floor without missing action since returning.

Once again, Embiid is cleared for action and will play against the Heat. The Sixers will tip-off in Miami at 7:30 PM ET.

Related Reading
Joel Embiid’s Honest Take on Return vs. OKC Thunder
76ers’ Playoff Snapshot Amid Joel Embiid’s Return
Robert Covington Remains Out for 76ers vs. Thunder

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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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