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It appears we’ll have to wait until at least the NBA Finals to see Joel Embiid take on Russell Westbrook again.
Embiid was ruled out this afternoon by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer for the Sixers’ road battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder this Thursday. The 7’2 big man out of Kansas is battling tendinitis in his left knee.
The team lost in heartbreaking fashion the last time they faced the Thunder back on January 19th, as Jimmy Butler fouled Paul George on a made three-pointer that gave the Thunder the lead for good.
A hard foul by Embiid on Westbrook led to some harsh words following the contest:
Russell Westbrook on the foul from Joel Embiid, and then asked if they are “cool.” (Warning: language): pic.twitter.com/7i0ahyEFTH
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 20, 2019
It will be the 4th game Embiid will miss in a row, following his performance in the All-Star game. To make matters more difficult, reserve center Boban Marjanović will not play either.
Bobi injured his knee in last night’s game in New Orleans, and the team was prepared for the worst. But the results of his MRI were negative, a tremendous relief as he avoided a serious injury.
The Thunder have won a staggering 19 consecutive games against the Sixers and without Embiid or Bobi, they’ll be sizable favorites to make it 20 straight.
Jonah Bolden and Amir Johnson will likely be called upon to limit Thunder bigs Steven Adams and former Sixer Nerlens Noel.