Joel Embiid moved from day-to-day to cleared on the injury report Friday at 5:21 PM ET. The 76ers center is in line to play Saturday against the Bucks.
What happened
The official injury report moved Joel Embiid from day-to-day to cleared on Friday, Oct 23, at 5:21 PM ET. Earlier the same day he had been listed day-to-day for rest. The report gave no other detail and no comment. This has happened before this fall. Embiid was listed day-to-day for rest on Oct 5 and cleared on Oct 8. He was listed again on Oct 10 and cleared on Oct 16. The 32-year-old center has played in both of Philadelphia's games this season.
What it means for the 76ers
Philadelphia hosts Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct 24, at 7:30 PM ET on NBA TV. The 76ers are 2-0, have won two straight and are the top seed. Embiid played in both wins. He is averaging 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 33.9 minutes. Last season he averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 38 games. Tyrese Maxey has carried the load at 40.6 minutes and 30.0 points a game, and Jaylen Brown is adding 20.0 points. The depth behind Embiid is thin. Adem Bona has played 11.6 minutes a game, and Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall are all out.
What to watch
No minutes restriction has been announced for Embiid. The next injury report before Saturday's tipoff will confirm whether he stays cleared. Watch the rest of the list too. LeBron James is day-to-day with a back issue, and Dean Wade is day-to-day with a left ankle issue. Barlow (back), Hukporti (right Achilles) and Fall (left quadriceps) are out, and no return dates have been announced for them. Embiid's rest listings this fall have been cleared within days.
Is Joel Embiid playing vs the Bucks on Saturday, Oct 24?
He is expected to be available. The injury report cleared him on Friday at 5:21 PM ET after listing him day-to-day for rest. Tipoff against Milwaukee is 7:30 PM ET on NBA TV.
When will Joel Embiid be back?
He does not need a return date. He has been cleared and has played in both of Philadelphia's games this season. No minutes restriction has been announced.