Sixers news: At least three starters out vs. Phoenix Suns

The Sixers will miss at least three starters — and potentially more — in Tuesday’s showdown with the red-hot Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns are undefeated so far in the bubble, and if current trends continue, the Sixers pose a minimal threat to end that streak on Tuesday. The Philadelphia 76ers’ injury report is loaded, per PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck, which will leave them extremely shorthanded for the second consecutive game.

Ben Simmons, who underwent successful knee surgery on Monday, will not play. Joel Embiid, who injured his ankle in Sunday’s loss to Portland, will also sit as Philadelphia proceeds with abundant caution. The cherry on top is Josh Richardson, who will get a well-deserved rest day after his 34-point outing on Sunday.

After the Portland loss, Brett Brown reckoned with the Sixers’ need to balance competitive drive and health preservation. In the game preceding Sunday, Embiid played 37 minutes. There is almost no reason to push Embiid that hard in the regular season, no matter the competitive circumstances.

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In addition to the absences of Embiid, Simmons, and Richardson, both Al Horford and Tobias Harris are listed as questionable for Tuesday afternoon’s game. The Sixers could potentially miss all five of their original starters. Shake Milton is the only current starter with a green light.

Preservation is a main priority for Philadelphia at this point. The Sixers would benefit in theory from home-court advantage, but given the lack of actual home-court, the difference between the No. 4 seed and the No. 6 seed is negligible. Either way, the Sixers would enter the first round as sizable underdogs. If they’re the No. 6 seed, at least they hypothetically avoid Milwaukee for the longest possible time.

A healthy Embiid who is sharp and assertive will give the Sixers a chance against anyone. He has played his best basketball of the season so far in Orlando. With Simmons out, delivering him healthy and ready to the postseason is paramount. If the Sixers are going to shock the world, it starts (and ends) with Embiid.

The Suns have run roughshod over basically everyone since arriving in central Florida. The Sixers were borderline underdogs in this game with Embiid. Cut Embiid and Richardson out, then muddy up the statuses of Harris and Horford, and you are essentially handing this game to Phoenix. The Suns are in hot pursuit of the eighth seed out West.

That’s fine. Again, seeding isn’t the Sixers’ primary concern right now. Many would prefer the sixth seed anyway. While I’m personally fond of the meltdown potential of a Sixers-Heat series — especially when you take into account the Sixers’ generally bleak demise — the No. 3 seed Celtics are a favorable matchup on paper.

As for the Suns game, expect more minutes for the likes of Matisse Thybulle, Alec Burks, and Mike Scott. The Sixers could potentially miss both of their “centers” in Embiid and Horford, which will open up minutes for Norvel Pelle. Scott spent extended time as a small-ball five in the Portland game as well.

The Sixers’ competitive spirit in the Blazers game was commendable, but even if Harris and Horford are a go, expect the Suns pull away early in this one. Phoenix has more to play for and a healthy roster.