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In a surprising turn of events, the Philadelphia 76ers will have all of their non-Ben Simmons starters available for tonight’s game against Toronto, including one Joel Hans Embiid:
Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson and Al Horford will all return tonight for the #Sixers against the Toronto Raptors.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) August 12, 2020
While tonight’s outcome is largely irrelevant (and you could argue it would be in the Sixers’ best interest to lose), Embiid returning to the court tonight is outstanding news for Philadelphia. The Sixers had maintained that the ankle injury Embiid suffered by stepping back awkwardly on the bottom of the stanchion in the Portland game was minor, but we’ve seen day-to-day designations blow up the team’s face before. Especially with Joel’s injury history involving his foot and everything else, fans would have been justified in having a pessimistic outlook. However, the big man will return and has two games before the playoffs begin to regain the outstanding rhythm we’ve seen from him in the Bubble.
In other news, another guy who has played extremely well for the team in Orlando will be getting a rest tonight:
#Sixers G Alec Burks will miss tonight’s game with left foot soreness. There is no long-term concern. Sixers just resting him in the second night of back-to-back.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) August 12, 2020
Keep that shooting arm warm, Alec.
With the majority of Philadelphia’s regulars back in action, and Toronto playing most of their full rotation tonight, buckle up for a fun two-plus hours of Bubble basketball.