Joel Embiid ‘not healthy’, still unsure about playing in All-Star game
Following last night’s 118-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Joel Embiid spoke with the media as the NBA rolls into the All-Star break.
Embiid, who became the fastest player in Sixers’ franchise history to reach the 10,000-point mark against the Cavaliers, talked about the All-Star game and his availability to play this weekend as he deals with nagging left foot soreness.
Joel Embiid has been listed as questionable for nearly two weeks straight, which isn’t uncommon for the Sixers’ big man. Still, this year, he’s considering a more conservative approach on All-Star weekend and might not even play in Utah.
“I’m not sure,” said Embiid. “I’m not healthy. I haven’t been healthy for the past three weeks or months. I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff, but I feel like I’ve reached the point where, yeah, I really need to follow the doctor’s advice and miss.”
“Back then, he said I should have been sitting for two weeks,” the big fella added. “So I’m gonna see how the next few days goes and go from there.”
Honestly, I love it. I wouldn’t play in the All-Star game regardless after the league, media, players, and coaches initially had Joel Embiid as a reserve before the NBA Trade Deadline opened up a starting spot in the East. Plus, James Harden was completely snubbed out of an All-Star spot as well.
So…screw it?
The biggest thing for Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers is staying healthy. I don’t want to see any freak injuries down the stretch, which sends this team limping into the playoffs yet again.
I’m actually hoping Joel Embiid decides to sit this weekend and focuses on really the only real task at hand in winning an NBA Championship.
