76ers Update Joel Embiid's Status for Jazz Matchup

The Utah Jazz will miss facing last year's MVP for the second time this season.

The Utah Jazz continue to catch some breaks on the injury front, but will they take advantage this time around? ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid will miss Thursday night's contest versus the Jazz due to a left knee injury. He will be reevaluated in 24 hours. 

This is coming off the heels of Utah playing the New York Knicks minus Julius Randle and OG Anunobi. Embiid missed the last game versus Utah, which was on January 6, in a 120-109 loss at home.

Sixers star Joel Embiid is out for Thursday's game vs. Utah and will receive further evaluation on his left knee in the next 24 hours, team official tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2024

This matchup will be in the thin air in Utah, where the Jazz boast a 15-6 record. Utah will need all the help it can get after going 2-4 on its recent road trip, which included three blowout defeats.

Not surprisingly, Embiid has had quite a bit of success playing the Jazz. In 10 career games he's averaging 26.6 points and 11.5 rebounds. 

Jazz fans may remember last season when Embiid scored what was then a career-high 59 points in a 105-98 victory in Philadelphia. The 2022-23 MVP surpassed that number with a 70-point performance this season versus the San Antonio Spurs.

The Jazz could use some home cooking as we approach the trade deadline. The next eight out of nine games will be played in Salt Lake City. Utah will need to be on the winning side for most of them to stay in the playoff conversation. Only four of the games will be against a team with a winning record. 

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