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Tim BontempsESPN
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia 76ersTuesday’s announcement that both Joel Embiid(Back soreness) James Harden(right hamstring rehabilitation) Monday’s game against Eastern Conference-leading would be canceled Miami HeatAfter Sunday’s loss here to The, Toronto Raptors.
Philadelphia decided to play Monday’s match with the team, its third in four nights. This was to allow both players to have the night off with an eye towards the playoffs. Coach Doc Rivers repeatedly stated that they will be doing this over the last few weeks.
When we were asked about Friday’s victory over The Dallas MavericksRivers smiled when Rivers asked Embiid or Harden if they could miss at least one of the upcoming three games in four days.
Embiid was listed as questionable Monday morning for a fourth consecutive game with back soreness. This was the same as he had been prior to Wednesday’s win at Cleveland, Friday’s win against Dallas, and Sunday’s defeat to Toronto. But Embiid later was ruled out.
It will be Embiid’s only fourth missed game for non COVID-related reasons in his best season yet. This is something that the MVP candidate has stated repeatedly that he is proud to have accomplished. Embiid has a season average of 29.8 points and 11.3 rebounds, with 4.3 assists in 58 contests.
Harden said that he was hoping to play against Miami, however, after Sunday’s loss.
“That’s the plan. Harden stated, “I plan to play.”
Harden was not listed on Monday’s injury report, but the 76ers removed him about three hours before tip due to right hamstring recovery. This is the same issue that kept him from the second game he missed since he started playing for Philadelphia last month. It was another back-toback against the Heat in Miami, March 5.
Harden is missing this game for the second time since he began playing on February 25th in Minnesota. He also played both halves in a back-toback in Orlando and here in Denver last week. Harden’s average scoring in the 11 games since his trade is 22.4 points and 7.0 rebounds.