Sixers’ Joel Embiid to also miss Saturday’s game vs. Bulls

Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ game Friday vs. the Houston Rockets with a sprained right ankle. He will miss Saturday’s game vs. the Chicago Bulls as well.

That will make four straight misses for Embiid, as noted by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Without Embiid, the Sixers have been turning to Paul Reed to start at center, and Reed is doing an admirable job of holding down the fort.

Entering Friday night, Philadelphia had won eight of 10 and trailed the Atlantic Division- and Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics by three games.

As an aside, the Sixers are among the few teams believed to have a real interest in Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who’s expected to miss a few more weeks with a foot injury. We have more news out of Philly here.

Joel Embiid won’t join the remainder of the Sixers’ road trip; team hopes he’ll return Tuesday vs. Bulls https://t.co/lleMGQkiA7 via @phillyinquirer

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 30, 2023