PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Sixers have reached the NBA All-Star break, but their best player — and only All-Star rep — may not play in Sunday night’s showcase.
If Joel Embiid doesn’t play, it sounds like it’s for a good reason. Embiid has been playing with a sore left foot for several weeks, and he has regularly been listed as questionable ahead of games.
Wednesday night, after scoring 29 points in a 118-112 win over the Cavs, Embiid indicated that he’s not sure if he will play this weekend in Salt Lake City because of his foot issue.
“I’m not healthy,” he said. “I haven’t been healthy for the past three weeks or month. I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff. But I feel I’ve reached the point where I really need to follow the doctor’s advice. … He said I should have been sitting for two weeks.”
Embiid hasn’t been sitting. Despite the injury, he is still playing at a high level.
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Embiid was initially snubbed as a starter for the All-Star Game, tabbed as a reserve instead. Last week, the NBA elevated him to a starter as an injury replacement, but he indicated even at that time that he may not play, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Embiid said his focus is on getting healthy — not dwelling on proving people wrong for not initially selecting him as an All-Star Game starter.
“The focus is on winning, especially getting ready for the second half of the season and the playoffs,” he added. “I’m focused on winning a championship, and whatever helps me get there and healthy, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
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