By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.
I agree
Search Trends
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 22, 2023. /CFP
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, will miss the Christmas Day game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, because of an ankle injury, the 76ers announced on Sunday.
During the 76ers' 121-111 win over the Toronto Raptors on December 22, Embiid shot 11-for-21 from the field to score 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and four blocks. He sprained his right ankle in the first quarter when he tried to block a shot, but still finished the contest.
Embiid has been dropping a double-double of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds for 13 straight games. Only three players in NBA history have done that before – Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdule-Jabbar and Elgin Baylor – and they are all Hall of Famers. Moreover, the win over the Raptors was also the 14th consecutive game in which Embiid got at least 30 points, the longest since James Harden's 32-game streak during the 2018-19 season.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers lies on the floor in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 22, 2023. /CFP
Embiid leads the MVP race this season as well at the moment after averaging 35 points, 11.7 rebounds, six assists, 1.2 steals and two blocks per game. He further refined his shooting off the dribble in the middle range and expanded his defensive coverage as well to switch and ball-pressure more. The latter was key to improving the 76ers' defense but also increased his work load.
As a 2.13-meter-tall, 127-kilogram-heavy center, Embiid was haunted by injuries at the early stage of his career. Playing a bigger role like he did this season is likely to increase his risk of getting injured.
"Obviously, he stayed in the game and it didn't change his rotation at all," the 76ers' head coach Nick Nurse said after beating the Raptors. "But he played through it and I'm pretty sure he'll be sore tomorrow. We'll have to monitor it over the next couple days before we get on the plane [to Miami]."
The 76ers are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 20-8 record. The Orlando Magic (17-11) behind them are unlikely to catch up soon. Neither will the 76ers surpass the Milwaukee Bucks (22-7) easily.