Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers preview without Joel Embiid, Digi Mart USA News (Philadelphia, PA): The Philadelphia 76ers host the Indiana Pacers in a Sunday afternoon matinee at Xfinity Mobile Arena, tipping off at 1 p.m. ET.
The game is the first of a stretched back-to-back for Philadelphia, which visits the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
Joel Embiid will miss the game for plantar fasciitis management. LeBron James, who sat out the Sixers’ last contest for sciatica management, is not on the injury report and is expected to play, and may see more time at center.
Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow remain sidelined.
Indiana is without Tyrese Haliburton, who has not played since suffering a hamstring strain early in the season. Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are out with knee injuries, while Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith are questionable and T.J.
McConnell is probable. Despite a 5-8 record, the Pacers have won two straight, including a close NBA Cup victory over the New York Knicks on Friday.
Indiana has relied on a balanced effort, with six players averaging double-digit scoring. Pascal Siakam leads the team at 22.4 points per game, while Andrew Nembhard averages 9.5 assists and 16.6 points.
Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr. each average roughly 10 to 12 points per game.
In the teams’ first meeting this season, Philadelphia won 114-109, with Anfernee Simons making six three-pointers. The matchup is considered winnable for the Sixers even without Embiid, though the source notes that a close result is possible if Philadelphia does not play at its best.
