On second leg of back-to-back, Embiid ruled out vs. top-seeded Heat originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
For the first time since the Sixers’ trade for James Harden, Joel Embiid will sit.
On the second night of a back-to-back, Embiid will miss a home matchup Monday night against the Eastern Conference-leading Heat (7:30 p.m. ET/NBCSP) because of back soreness. He’d been listed as questionable leading into the past three games.
Embiid struggled with his jumper Sunday in a loss to the Raptors and went 6 for 20 from the floor. He still managed 21 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.
After returning on Nov. 27 from a serious COVID-19 case, Embiid was active for 49 of 51 possible games. He played 33.9 minutes per contest over that span, averaging 31.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Embiid was asked Friday whether he expected to play against both Toronto and Miami.
“Yeah, but I’m going to listen to (the medical staff). I know they had options and they were going to…