Doc Rivers provides update on Joel Embiid’s calf after Sixers beat Bulls
The Philadelphia 76ers were able to cruise to an easy 116-91 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday to begin a four-game road trip on a night when they led by as many as 31. The big factor for the Sixers in this one was the ball movement as they had 30 assists on 39 field goals.
With that being said, the big question after this win was the status of Joel Embiid. The big fella only played 16 minutes and had 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists and he didn’t come out and play in the second half.
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Kate Scott reported on the broadcast that a team official told her that it was just due to score differential with the Sixers leading by so much, but toward the end, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported that Embiid is actually dealing with mild right calf tightness. They expect him to play on Friday against the Golden State Warriors.
“Not much,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters about any concern he has. “Not at all, really. I think he’ll be ready for the next game. We just took precaution. We had a lead. We felt like we could hold it and whenever you hear calf you just say that’s it.”
Embiid – mild right calf tightness – expected to play Friday
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) March 23, 2023
The Sixers do have to now head out west with a matchup with the defending champion Golden State Warriors looming on Friday in The Bay. Therefore, Rivers and the Sixers didn’t want to push Embiid in a game that they had in the bag before hopping on a plane and heading to San Francisco.
“I think he’s just fine,” Rivers added. “It was very mild and we’re on a road trip. About to go west on a long flight. We just thought it was the right thing to do. The flight, four hours in the air makes you tighter so we just felt like it’s the right thing to do.”
