The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t been able to escape the injury bug this season, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George all sidelined at different times. These setbacks threw a wrench into their plans, creating hurdles they couldn’t avoid early on. It’s no surprise their season began on a rough note, as losing key players often spells trouble for any team. However, the Sixers might finally be catching a break. Momentum seems to be shifting, and fans have reason to hope brighter days are ahead.

On Friday, the Sixers aim to keep their momentum alive as they welcome the slumping Indiana Pacers to their home court. Embiid, who made a much-anticipated comeback against the Chicago Bulls last weekend, looks set to hit the floor once again. His return has given the team a noticeable spark, and fans are counting on him to help extend their recent success.

With Embiid, Maxey, and George all back in action, the Sixers are in a delightful spot—let’s hope it stays that way. The team’s performance has been solid lately, winning four out of their last five games. With this healthier lineup, the Sixers are starting to build momentum, and it’s clear they’re on the right track. Let’s see if they can keep it rolling.

Let us take a look at the much shorter injury report in recent times of the Sixers along with their depth chart.

The Sixers look good with Joel Embiid back on the team

With only 2 names on the report, this is the shortest report the Sixers have had in a while. Adem Bona is dealing with left knee tendinopathy after injuring it in the December 4th game against the Orlando Magic. Since then, he’s been out. As for Caleb Martin, he’s been battling a right shoulder impingement, an issue that’s likely been affecting him all season. He’s out as well.

This could explain why Martin’s shooting has dropped off since joining the Sixers. His struggles on the court might very well be tied to the discomfort he’s been playing through.

The 76ers’ defense has been locking it down in their last five games, limiting opponents to only 100 points per night. During this run, they’ve held teams to just 42.6% shooting from the floor. If they want to keep this hot streak alive on Friday, sticking to that defensive mindset is key.

The Pacers are stuck in a slump, having lost four out of their last five games, with only a win over the Chicago Bulls to show for it. Unlike the 76ers, who’ve been thriving defensively, Indiana has struggled to stop teams, giving up 118.6 points per game during this stretch. The Pacers need to take advantage of the 76ers’ offensive struggles if they want to get back on track. Philadelphia ranks near the bottom in scoring, with the sixth-lowest shooting percentage and the third-worst three-point shooting in the NBA. Indiana can make a statement by exploiting these weaknesses.

So who do you think will win?