The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics enter Sunday’s potential clash with significant injury concerns.
Philadelphia faces a major setback with Joel Embiid sidelined due to a right oblique strain. Paul George remains unavailable, serving a league suspension, and Johni Broome is out with a right knee meniscus tear. Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as available but recovering from a left knee injury and is wearing a brace. MarJon Beauchamp, Tyrese Martin, and Dalen Terry remain out on two-way assignments, while Justin Edwards continues a G League assignment.
Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers in scoring this season, averaging 29.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. VJ Edgecombe adds 15.3 points per contest, while Embiid had been contributing 26.6 points and 7.5 rebounds before his oblique injury. Oubre Jr. is averaging 14.5 points per game, providing veteran scoring depth.
The Celtics also contend with key absences. Jayson Tatum is out following right Achilles repair, and Baylor Scheierman is questionable with a left thumb fracture. Max Shulga and Amari Williams are both listed as questionable.
Jaylen Brown continues to be a cornerstone for the team, posting 29.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Derrick White averages 17.1 points and 5.7 assists.
Both teams are coming off recent wins, with the 76ers defeating the Miami Heat 124-117 at home and the Indiana Pacers 135-114 on the road.
Boston’s last two outings include a 148-111 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets and an 84-103 road loss to the Denver Nuggets. These results underscore how health and rotation flexibility could influence performance on Sunday.
In their three meetings earlier this season, games were tightly contested. The 76ers won two of the three, including a 117-116 victory at Boston and a 102-100 win at home. The Celtics claimed a narrow 109-108 victory during the NBA Cup at Philadelphia..
Both squads sit high in the Eastern Conference standings, with Boston holding second at 39-20 and Philadelphia sixth at 33-26.
