Despite Paul George’s 25-game suspension, the team rides a hot streak into a pivotal trade deadline week.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealing with some real drama lately, but they’re not letting it slow them down. Paul George got hit with a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program—something he attributed to taking improper medication while seeking mental health treatment. He took full responsibility in his statement, and the ban started at the end of January. George won’t be back until around March 25, 2026, meaning the team will miss his two-way impact on both ends for a big chunk of the second half of the season.
Whether this trade ends up being a win depends on how the picks play out and what else happens, but it’s a clear signal: Daryl Morey is prioritizing cap space and depth over holding onto every young piece. This could be the setup for a bigger swing before the deadline passes on Thursday, February 5, at 3 p.m. ET, or just a smart way to stay under the tax while addressing needs. With the East wide open—teams dealing with injuries and inconsistencies—Philly has a real shot if they add the right role players.
Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
The week wraps with the road trip continuing: they face the Lakers in Los Angeles tomorrow night (February 5), then the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. They’re currently one game out of the No. 4 seed in the East, and with Embiid healthy and Maxey carrying the load, the ceiling feels high. The next 24 hours could reshape the roster, but the momentum is there. This team is built to compete now—let’s see if Morey pulls off something to push them further.
Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers was suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “improper.”Video above: Philadelphia 76ers player injured in hit-and-run“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,” George said in the statement released to the network.He apologized to the team and its fans, saying he takes “full responsibility for my actions.”The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George. He will begin serving the suspension Saturday when Philadelphia hosts New Orleans.The suspension will cost George — a nine-time All-Star — roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed. Some of that forfeited money will turn into a credit and put Philadelphia closer to getting out of the luxury tax; the 76ers would be about $1.3 million over that line when factoring in the money George isn’t getting.George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia plays host to Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are 16-11 when George plays, 10-10 when he does not.Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined ahead of Saturday’s game to discuss details of the conversation he had with George after the suspension was announced. Nurse said he hadn’t noticed any personal issues with George, even as mental health concerns were addressed in the statement.“I think he’s been fine,” Nurse said. “Really fun to coach. Really good teammate. His teammates really like him. Showing some great leadership.”George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers, with that scoring average third-highest on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second NBA season.“I think there’s been a lot of circumstances that have been really unfortunate,” Nurse said. “I also feel like he’s played pretty well this year. Borderline very well, considering he’s played such a critical role for us. Kind of slotted in like a really good role player on this particular team. I think he’s done what we’ve need him to do.”Last season was so miserable that George called his first year in Philly “rock bottom” over the course of his career.It’s certainly not any better now.“As with all our players, dealing with this kind of stuff, you care about them,” Nurse said. “We’re to help him. The organization is in any way possible. And try to get past it as soon as we can, get through it the best way we can, and then go from there.”George had surgery in July on his left knee after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games of this season.George and two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had been healthy enough this season to keep the Sixers in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter and a strong rookie season from No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe had the Sixers hopeful they could make some noise in the playoffs.With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, George’s suspension could have a profound impact on what the Sixers do as they make a playoff push.The 76ers will go through the deadline while they are on a five-game West Coast road trip that starts Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers.“You get the punch to the gut, but listen, me, I’ve got to lead the charge here,” Nurse said. “We’ve got to get fighting and we’ve got to get to work.”
Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers was suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “improper.”
Video above: Philadelphia 76ers player injured in hit-and-run
“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,” George said in the statement released to the network.
He apologized to the team and its fans, saying he takes “full responsibility for my actions.”
The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George. He will begin serving the suspension Saturday when Philadelphia hosts New Orleans.
The suspension will cost George — a nine-time All-Star — roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed. Some of that forfeited money will turn into a credit and put Philadelphia closer to getting out of the luxury tax; the 76ers would be about $1.3 million over that line when factoring in the money George isn’t getting.
George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia plays host to Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.
Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are 16-11 when George plays, 10-10 when he does not.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined ahead of Saturday’s game to discuss details of the conversation he had with George after the suspension was announced. Nurse said he hadn’t noticed any personal issues with George, even as mental health concerns were addressed in the statement.
“I think he’s been fine,” Nurse said. “Really fun to coach. Really good teammate. His teammates really like him. Showing some great leadership.”
George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers, with that scoring average third-highest on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.
George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second NBA season.
“I think there’s been a lot of circumstances that have been really unfortunate,” Nurse said. “I also feel like he’s played pretty well this year. Borderline very well, considering he’s played such a critical role for us. Kind of slotted in like a really good role player on this particular team. I think he’s done what we’ve need him to do.”
Last season was so miserable that George called his first year in Philly “rock bottom” over the course of his career.
It’s certainly not any better now.
“As with all our players, dealing with this kind of stuff, you care about them,” Nurse said. “We’re to help him. The organization is in any way possible. And try to get past it as soon as we can, get through it the best way we can, and then go from there.”
George had surgery in July on his left knee after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games of this season.
George and two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had been healthy enough this season to keep the Sixers in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter and a strong rookie season from No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe had the Sixers hopeful they could make some noise in the playoffs.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, George’s suspension could have a profound impact on what the Sixers do as they make a playoff push.
The 76ers will go through the deadline while they are on a five-game West Coast road trip that starts Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers.
“You get the punch to the gut, but listen, me, I’ve got to lead the charge here,” Nurse said. “We’ve got to get fighting and we’ve got to get to work.”
All day Thursday, the Sixers’ messaging was clear: they could not take a perceived easy matchup against Sacramento lightly. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid certainly did not.
But something has shifted this year. It’s like a jolt of energy hit the locker room. The team’s chemistry is the best it’s been in a while—guys are genuinely enjoying playing together, supporting each other, and buying in. Leading the charge? Joel Embiid, who’s playing like an All-Star again.
All-Star bench players haven’t been revealed yet, and while it’s tough to crack the East frontcourt with how stacked it is, Embiid is right there in the conversation. Besides Nikola Jokic, he’s basically the only center averaging over 25 points per game league-wide right now. If he keeps this up, he should be a lock.
With a healthy Embiid leading the way, and Tyrese Maxey playing at an MVP-candidate level next to him, this Sixers team has no real ceiling. The roster mixes young upside with Hall of Fame-caliber vets like Paul George, and the pieces are starting to click. We’re sitting in a solid spot in the standings, and the Eastern Conference looks weaker than usual—especially with stars like Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Tyrese Haliburton dealing with major injuries that are keeping them sidelined or limited.
The trade deadline is right around the corner, and it’s a must that the Sixers act as buyers. Daryl Morey needs to add the right depth or a missing piece to maximize this win-now window before those other teams get their guys back healthy.
After a few days of being asked about why they kept struggling in fourth quarters, the Sixers dominated the Indiana Pacers in the final frame on Monday night to get back in the win column.
Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is questionable for the Sixers’ home game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, according to the team’s injury report for the game unveiled on Sunday which also lists Paul George as questionable due to left knee injury management:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Indiana:
Joel Embiid – left knee injury management – QUESTIONABLE
Paul George – left knee injury management – QUESTIONABLE
Over the last three weeks, Embiid has enjoyed his healthiest and most consistent stretch of basketball in over two years. He has played in nine of the Sixers’ last 10 games, averaging 32.9 minutes and 27.0 points during that span. While Embiid remains a far cry from his prior NBA MVP form, he has shown significant progress from where he was earlier this season in terms of both availability and production.
The Sixers and Cavaliers alike have described their pair of games as having a playoff feel. The distinct differences in makeup between the teams creates a compelling matchup.
Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is probable for the Sixers’ home rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Thursday, which also lists Paul George as probable with left knee injury management and Dominick Barlow as questionable due to a back contusion:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Cleveland:
Joel Embiid — left knee injury management — PROBABLE
Paul George – left knee injury management – PROBABLE
Embiid, who has played in eight of the Sixers’ last nine games, has enjoyed his healthiest and most consistent stretch of basketball in over two years. His only absence in 2026 came on the front end of the Sixers’ back-to-back in Toronto last week; he sat in a loss to the Raptors before helping the Sixers avenge that defeat the following night. George also missed the front end of that back-to-back; soreness in his left knee forced him to be a late scratch. He has played in each of the Sixers’ games since that absence.
After the Sixers practiced on Thursday morning, Barlow was seen getting shots up with a player development coach. Though Barlow did not have a jersey on, indicating he was not part of any live action, him performing any basketball activity was a positive sign after he left Wednesday’s game against Cleveland with his back contusion, which appeared to cause him significant pain.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after practice that the team canceled plans to get imaging on Barlow’s back because he woke up feeling better. The 22-year-old, who has shined on a two-way contract, has avoided a serious injury.
“Sounded like he was going to be okay,” Nurse said.
Once a spark off the bench, now the franchise pillar lighting up the league at 30.9 points per game—Maxey’s growth story is fueling the Sixers’ resurgence and a promising future in Philly.
Back in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers landed at pick 21 and snagged a promising guard from Kentucky named Tyrese Maxey. At the time, Philly was already a playoff team stacked with stars like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (pre-drama era). For a late first-rounder, opportunities were slim—Maxey started as that instant-offense, change-of-pace spark off the bench. The tape showed flashes: quick first step, smooth pull-up, endless motor. But nobody predicted this kind of leap. What Maxey has become isn’t luck or inheritance—it’s earned through relentless growth, adaptability, and that signature breakneck pace.
Fast-forward five-plus seasons, and Maxey’s trajectory feels like buying Bitcoin early: steady climbs turning into explosive gains. He’s arguably a top-5 player in the league right now. Through 36 games this 2025-26 season (as of mid-January), he’s averaging 30.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. His shooting splits? 48.0% from the field, 40.9% from three, and 87.6% from the line—edging dangerously close to that elite 50/40/90 club on massive volume (22.4 FGA, 9.2 3PA). That’s not just scoring; it’s efficient, high-level production while playing nearly 40 minutes a night as the engine.
But stats only tell part of the story. Maxey’s real glow-up shines in leadership. Embiid and Paul George have both publicly shouted him out this season—calling him the guy who’s taken over as captain. With injuries and load management hitting the bigs hard in recent years, Maxey stepped up vocally and energetically. He’s sparked a team-wide resurgence in intensity, moxie, and belief. The Sixers, sitting at 22-16 and climbing in the East standings, feel different because of his presence—constant energy, accountability, and that “we got this” vibe.
As we approach the All-Star break, Maxey’s fan voting has him locked in the top 3 in the Eastern Conference (trailing only Giannis in some tallies, neck-and-neck with others for starter status). It’s well-deserved—he’s been that consistent force. After inking his massive extension in summer 2024, the future is built around him. Pair that with this year’s draft steal, rookie VJ Edgecombe (already showing star flashes in the backcourt), and you’ve got the dream young duo every team envies. Speed, scoring, defense, chemistry—the Sixers’ guard room looks set for years.
This season, Maxey has been straight-up incredible. Whether he’s pulling off James Harden-level step-back threes from deep, blowing by defenders for acrobatic finishes at the rim, or dissecting defenses with his vision, he looks unguardable at times. Opponents are game-planning specifically around him now—doubling early, switching everything, sending help from the weak side. And he still finds ways to drop 30+ (he’s hit the mark in over half his games). That explosiveness, combined with smarter decision-making and leadership, has elevated him from bench spark to true franchise pillar.
Maxey’s not just carrying the torch—he’s lighting the way for what’s next in Philly. With Embiid and George healthy and clicking more, and Edgecombe growing fast, the ceiling feels limitless. Tyrese Maxey isn’t just evolving; he’s arrived.
The night after an embarrassing late-game collapse, the Sixers responded exactly as they hoped to, handling the Toronto Raptors with ease on Monday night.
For the first time since Dec. 18, 2023, and only the 11th time in head coach Nick Nurse’s tenure with the organization, the Sixers did not have a single player ruled out due to injury or personal reasons on Wednesday.
Whether the front office considers moving George if things don’t turn around is unlikely, but persistent problems could force some big changes. That said, this roster still has the talent for a deep playoff run when healthy, so the Sixers are more likely to be buyers than sellers at the deadline.
The Sixers’ Trade Situation
Philadelphia is in a tight spot cap-wise. They are just over $1 million under the first apron and about $13 million under the second, giving them limited flexibility. The most movable contracts are guys like Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry. Bigger names like Paul George or Jared McCain aren’t realistic to shop.
The biggest needs? Probably a 3-and-D wing, a true backup point guard, or another big to rotate behind Joel Embiid. They also need to convert Dominick Barlow’s and/or Jabari Walker’s two-way deals before they hit the 50-game limit.
With those constraints in mind, here are five realistic trade targets the Sixers could pursue to stay financially flexible while upgrading the roster:
A move like this will most likely require some draft capital but could prove worth it in the long run if the Sixers are able to make a run.
2) Tyus Jones (Orlando Magic)
A veteran point guard who could steady the second unit. For a very affordable price, he’d give the sixers a legitimate ball-handler and organizer off the bench, something they have been missing. His role is very minor currently on the Magic and they could look to move him at the deadline.
3) Jay Huff (Indiana Pacers)
A solid power forward/center having a strong season so far in Indiana. He can spell Embiid with scoring, rim protection, and shot-blocking—averaging over 2 blocks per game while stretching the floor a bit. He is having an excellent season and it’s no secret the Pacers are looking to sell.
He’s been linked to the Sixers for years, and now he’s not getting heavy minutes in Houston after recovering from injury. DFS is the prototype 3-and-D forward—you could never have too many lengthy wings like him who impact winning on both ends.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
A fully healthy Sixers team probably doesn’t need major additions to contend. But with the usual health questions and the goal of winning a championship for the first time in over 40 years (last one was ’83), some move feels like it’s on the horizon. Let’s see what Daryl Morey cooks up.
PHILADELPHIA — These are the stories nine Nuggets bench players and their coach will tell decades from now about a peculiar basketball game in Philadelphia.
It was a random enough game, one of 82 on a Monday in January, that it will fade from collective memory eventually. Just not from theirs. David Adelman will tell the story of “one of the best NBA wins I’ve ever been a part of in my life,” as he described it in the locker room, his stoic demeanor giving way to emotion that might’ve been verging on tears. “That was (freaking) special, man.”
He’ll reminisce about strategizing for a seemingly insurmountable matchup without seven of his usual rotation players, without his entire starting lineup, without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He’ll tell the story of his staff’s edict to “keep five guys in the paint and try to win the ball,” because the Nuggets didn’t have a healthy center, and they were playing against one with an MVP trophy. He’ll recount how he urged them to “play fast” and hunt easy buckets to avoid the limitations of a half-court offense. How he had no choice but to use all nine available players, including two who knew only garbage time in the NBA until a few days earlier.
He’ll compare it to a February 2020 win over Utah, where the Nuggets had only seven guys at their disposal, also on the second night of a back-to-back. But one of the seven was Jokic.
“This one is different,” Adelman said. “This one is unique, because our best player didn’t play. … When they’re older, 20 years from now, they’ll probably grab a beer and talk about this game.”
Bruce Brown will tell the story of his game-winner that never actually went through the net. It was a fitting climax, first requiring the Nuggets to get a defensive stop while they were down one point with a six-second clock differential in overtime. They collapsed on 76ers rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe in the lane. Peyton Watson disrupted his driving layup. Spencer Jones blocked Joel Embiid’s tip-in attempt, tumbling over Edgecombe. While the bodies hit the floor, Brown was waiting at the free-throw line. The ball caromed to him for a one-man fast break.
Keep five guys in the paint and try to win the ball. Play fast. “I didn’t have to call a timeout,” Adelman said. Embiid tried to chase Brown down for a block, but the ball had already touched the backboard when the Nuggets’ nemesis got to it. Goaltending was called with 5.3 seconds left.
“I was in the perfect position,” Brown said. “I knew everyone was in the paint, trying to go rebound. I was just like, I’m going. There was only one person back.”
He’ll tell the story of human nature. How it worked to Denver’s advantage. How he’s sure that a Philadelphia squad with Embiid, Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George in the lineup overlooked this game after winning four in a row. How Brown could hardly blame them because he’s been doing this long enough to know that it’s almost unavoidable in an 82-game season. He was the most experienced player available for the Nuggets. Their other eight players had combined for 94 NBA starts before Philadelphia, and only 45 before this season.
“People are expecting us to lose. We have nothing to lose, right?” Brown thought. “Go out there and hoop. We’ve been on the other side before, where other teams sit people out, and the same thing happens. So I knew they were probably gonna take us a little light. … When I’m on the other side, sometimes that happens, right? The other team just comes out playing extremely hard, and you’re like, eh, bench guys; they’re not the starters.”
Jalen Pickett will tell the story of how he quieted his older brother. “He’s my biggest critic,” the 6-foot-2 point guard said, “so I can’t wait to see what he says tonight.” They don’t get to see each other often during the NBA season. This was an exception, a reunion in Philly. Pickett, who finished his college career at Penn State, scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Nuggets. He added five rebounds and seven assists.
“He was just absolutely in control of this basketball game,” Adelman said. “With all those great players on that court, he was the guy tonight.”
Pickett’s first three years of pro hoops have been an emotional roller coaster. Drafted in the second round in 2023, he became a focal point of the tension between former general manager Calvin Booth and coach Michael Malone. Palace intrigue encroached on his confidence at times. But a 7-for-11 outside-shooting performance in Pennsylvania? Three step-back 3s over the 7-foot Embiid? It was the best Pickett has felt on a basketball court since “probably back in college, having the ball every possession.” He’ll tell the story of the Nuggets’ nickname for one night: “We were calling ourselves the Denver G League.”
Hunter Tyson will tell the story of his go-ahead 4-point play, the crux of a 14-0 fourth-quarter run after Denver trailed 98-89 with 11 minutes to go. He scored half of his 14 points during that run. Perhaps no sequence was more crucial to the momentum than his contested rebound and pull-up 3-pointer in transition, which he buried while getting fouled. “We were just a bunch of dogs tonight,” he said afterward.
He’ll tell the story of the bench’s comradery and patience. Tyson was drafted five spots after Pickett in 2023. Seven of Denver’s nine available players have suited up for the Grand Rapids Gold, a developmental G League affiliate. Eight of the nine were either drafted by the Nuggets outside of the top 20, or signed by the Nuggets out of college as undrafted free agents. Before this game, Tyson had played 50 total minutes in the first 35 contests of the season.
“He might be our hardest worker,” Pickett said.
“We’re blessed with the opportunity to be in the NBA, to be in this position. So I really try to keep a good perspective about things,” Tyson said. “And maybe even if I’m not playing as much as I want, just try and get a little better each day.”
He’ll tell the story of how that patience was a virtue on the final play of overtime, when Maxey released a potential game-winning floater. It threatened the three hours of maximum effort Denver had devoted. But it rolled off the rim as time expired, igniting a spontaneous celebration of hugs.
“Dude, I swear it sat there forever,” Tyson said, laughing. “I was really glad it didn’t go in.”
Zeke Nnaji will tell the story of Adelman’s relentless encouragement, which Nnaji says dates back months before the one game when it was most necessary. “He says that we’re so deep, we’re so talented, that on a random night, it could be anyone’s night. He’s constantly hammering that message home,” Nnaji said.
“I think it’s really DA. … He believed. And we all believed.”
Nnaji is the third-longest tenured Nugget behind Jokic and Murray, but his four-year, $32 million contract has been widely ridiculed as a waste of money on a player who mostly rides the bench. For at least one night, none of that mattered. Nnaji was Embiid’s equal, amassing 21 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks off the bench as Denver’s fourth-string center. He’ll tell the story of how it felt like a “normal” game, if only because the reserves are so accustomed to playing pickup together on the practice court. They need the reps.
“We play with each other so much,” he said. “Especially when everyone (in the starting lineup) is healthy, we’re always playing with each other. … Opportunities like this are so rare.”
Adelman will tell the story of Denver’s pregame shootaround someday, once he can get through it without choking up. “This morning, walking through (the plan) with nine people,” he said, “it was really special.” He had to stop himself there.
The nine also consisted of Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes II and Curtis Jones. Others who contributed behind the scenes will also tell the story of this game, though. The team security guard who ran down the back hallway, ecstatic. The starters who sat out and cheered from the bench, including Aaron Gordon, who sat at his locker room stall perusing the box score afterward with a proud smile. The player development coaches who work closely with Denver’s reserves. As two of them walked through an empty arena toward the team bus, one declared, “Shoutout PD,” lifting the Modelo can he was carrying in a toast to themselves.
When Nnaji tells the story, he’ll always return to Pickett’s deadeye shooting. “There were a couple of times Pick hit a step-back on Embiid, and I just go crazy whenever he hits one of those,” Nnaji said.
Pickett will tell that story, too. His children and grandchildren will hear that one.
“Oh my gosh,” he said, perhaps still in some disbelief. “I’m gonna tell ‘em I was giving MVPs buckets out there.”
The Sixers have two rotation forwards set to return from long-term injuries in the near future. How will head coach Nick Nurse’s rotation change when Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford get back on the floor?
Joel Embiid (right knee injury management; right ankle sprain) will miss the Sixers’ road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Saturday, which also lists Paul George (left knee injury management) as probable:
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game @ OKC:
Joel Embiid – right knee injury management; right ankle sprain – OUT
Paul George — left knee injury management — PROBABLE
Embiid, whose right knee issue led to him missing eight consecutive games earlier in the season, has experienced multiple scares there over the last two games, including Friday’s game in Chicago in which he surpassed 32 minutes for the first time in 2025-26. This is the first mention of any right ankle issue for Embiid this season.
Also out for the Sixers are Kelly Oubre Jr., whose absence due to a left knee LCL sprain has officially reached the six-week mark, with no substantive information available about his potential timeline to return; and Trendon Watford, who has now been out for more than a month with an adductor strain and similarly has no timetable to be back on the floor.
Both players are limited to individual on-court work; Oubre seems a bit closer to ramping up than Watford though it is unclear if either one is anywhere near close to that point
