The Philadelphia 76ers are ready to face the Utah Jazz tonight. The Sixers have played great throughout the season and are looking to improve their record by getting a win tonight. However, they received a massive blow ahead of the game as their superstar Joel Embiid got ruled out of tonight’s clash. Embiid is having another MVP-caliber season, averaging 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6 assists. And the Sixers will miss his presence against the Jazz.

Let’s find out why the reigning MVP is not suiting up for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz as the Sixers make the shocking call minutes before tipoff.

Joel Embiid’s injury report

Joel Embiid will miss tonight’s game because of a left knee swelling. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse revealed that Embiid started feeling the swelling earlier today. He tweaked his knee in yesterday’s game against the New York Knicks. Embiid played through the pain and finished the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds. The Sixers will go with a different starting lineup in Embiid’s absence. Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Nic Batum, Marcus Morris Sr., and Paul Reed will start the game for the Sixers tonight. The severity of Embiid’s injury is unknown, and it is uncertain when he will return to action.

This is a massive blow for Embiid and the Sixers because it has been just two games since he returned from his previous injury. Embiid missed four straight games to finish the year because of a sprained right ankle. He made his return for the first game of 2024 against the Bulls and scored a monster triple-double. Philly fans are hoping for Embiid’s speedy recovery as they have become legitimate title contenders this season.

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Will Embiid’s injuries hamper his MVP chances?

With the way Joel Embiid is playing this season, he might be on the road to becoming a back-to-back MVP. Embiid is leading the league in scoring with 34.6 points, and he has helped the Sixers rise to the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The reigning MVP has adjusted brilliantly to James Harden’s departure and is finally playing drama-free basketball after many years. But Embiid’s multiple injuries throughout the season can hamper his chances of winning the MVP trophy this year.

The MVP race this year is very close, as superstars, including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, are having incredible seasons. According to league guidelines, a player has to play at least 65 games to be eligible for the NBA’s regular season awards (MVP included). Joel Embiid has missed 11 games (including today’s) and hence he will need to miss no more than 6 more games throughout the remainder of the season in order to still be eligible.

With an injury history that doesn’t give a lot of hope, Embiid will certainly try his best to stay fit for the remainder of the season. Do you think he can win his 2nd MVP? Or will injuries hamper a sensational season from him? Let us know in the comments.

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