Joel Embiid injured again

The Philadelphia 76ers will have to do without their franchise player Joel Embiid for the coming days. The French-Cameroonian center is suffering from a right oblique strain and will miss at least the next three games for his team, as announced by the franchise on Saturday following MRI results.

The injury occurred during the 124-117 victory against Miami on Thursday night. Embiid had been hit accidentally in the ribs by Kel’el Ware’s knee after making the young Heat center bite on a shot fake. Despite the discomfort, the former NBA MVP finished the game with 26 points and 11 rebounds, even hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute.

Mounting absences for the Sixers center

This new injury brings to 29 the number of games missed by Embiid this season. The 7-foot center had already missed five consecutive games earlier this month due to right knee and shin pain. Since the start of 2026, he had been averaging 29.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

Embiid’s scheduled absences include marquee matchups: the trip to Boston on Sunday broadcast on NBC, then hosting San Antonio and Victor Wembanyama on Tuesday, also on Peacock, before the game against Utah on Wednesday. He will be reevaluated after that final game.

Despite their star’s absence for nearly half of the games, the 76ers currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33 wins and 26 losses. The team has a record of 12 wins and 14 losses without Embiid this season.

The Philadelphia franchise hopes to get their center back in time for the playoffs, where his presence will be crucial to have any hope of making a surprise run. Alongside Tyrese Maxey, who is having an exceptional season at 29.1 points and 6.8 assists per game, a healthy Embiid would make the Sixers a serious title contender.