Joel Embiid Injury Update: Is Embiid Playing Tonight vs. Rockets?

Joel Embiid is listed as out for Thursday’s 76ers vs. Rockets game at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Since March, Embiid has played in only five of 20 games, and Thursday brings a new injury, as he will undergo surgery for appendicitis. When Embiid was out on April 1 and 4, 76ers F Paul George averaged 29.5 points per game (PPG). Pick More or Less for Paul George’s 19.5 points projection tonight on PrizePicks.

Below, we'll break down the latest Joel Embiid injury update and who to target on PrizePicks with the star center out of the lineup.

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Joel Embiid Injury Update: Is Embiid Playing Tonight vs. Rockets?

Embiid simply cannot catch a break. He missed 13 games from an oblique injury, returning on March 25. The 76ers’ star center was out on April 1 from an illness and on April 4 due to a knee injury.

It’s one thing after another, as Embiid could now be looking at a lengthy recovery from appendicitis surgery. The NBA injury report officially lists Embiid as out due to an illness for Thursday night vs. the Rockets.

What Players to Target on PrizePicks with Embiid Out?

According to Cleaning the Glass, the 76ers have a +10.0 increase in net rating when Embiid is active. Without the center’s 26.9 PPG, 18.3 shots per contest, and 7.7 rebounds per game (RPG), who could step up in Philadelphia’s rotation?

Excluding Embiid’s injury, the Sixers feature a healthy rotation vs. the Rockets. When Embiid is off the court, F Paul George (+4.5%), G VJ Edgecombe (+3.1%), and G Tyrese Maxey (+2.5%) see the largest increases in usage rate, per FantasyLabs.

Furthermore, 76ers C Adem Bona posted 22.0 minutes per game over Embiid’s last two absences compared to 20.4 minutes per contest in March. Sixers F Dominick Barlow also saw a jump in minutes, recording 25.5 minutes per game on April 1 and 4, compared to 23.2 in March.

Over Philly’s last two games without Embiid, Edgecombe (16.0 PPG) recorded 21.0 PPG, and George (17.7 PPG) increased his average to 29.5 PPG in the split.

Here are the 76ers players who may benefit most on PrizePicks with Embiid out — and their stat projections for Thursday night.

• F Paul George — 19.5 Points / 30 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 38 Fantasy Score
• G VJ Edgecombe — 15.5 Points / 25 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 31 Fantasy Score
• F Dominick Barlow — 5.5 Points / 10.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts

Since returning from his 25-game suspension, George has been hotter than fish grease, logging 24.4 PPG while shooting 46.9% on 3-pointers over his last seven games. 

Pick More or Less 76ers player stats on PrizePicks now before 8:00 p.m. ET tip.

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Make 76ers vs. Rockets Picks on PrizePicks

The 76ers must find a way to replace Embiid’s production once again, and recent jumps in production from George and Edgecombe could provide a solution.

Don't wait until lock — make your 76ers vs. Rockets picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.

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