The Philadelphia 76ers’ frontcourt is notably thin, setting foot into their game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 30th at 6 p.m. EST. Philadelphia ruled out Joel Embiid (knee) while Andre Drummond (knee) is questionable. Its shorthandedness could thrust younger players like Adem Bona, Jabari Walker and Johni Broome into larger roles and they must capitalize.
Inside the injuries
Philadelphia has gone without its regular center rotation for 21 days as Embiid will miss his 10th consecutive game. He didn’t play in the 76ers’ 111-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons on November 9th due to left knee injury management; a procedure Philadelphia pursued to keep him fresh throughout the season. Except, he didn’t return afterwards.
Embiid experienced right knee soreness sometime after, which sidelined him for the 76ers’ last eight contests, despite the team listing him as day-to-day. His injury changed to right knee injury management in Philadelphia’s last seven contests, however.
Nick Nurse said after practice today that Embiid has to get through some pain within his right knee and on-court activity before the medical staff can clear him to return, Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice reported. The 76ers haven’t fully spiraled amidst Embiid’s absence, however, winning five of their last nine games.
Drummond’s recent play has been critical to Philadelphia’s staying afloat as he tallied 9.8 points and 12.1 rebounds in his last five outings. But, Drummond suffered a right knee contusion in the second quarter of the 76ers’ 115-103 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Now, he is at risk of missing his first game of the year.
Who could step up?
If the 76ers are deprived of Embiid and Drummond against Atlanta, Bona will likely slot into the starting lineup. The sophomore had 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks in Philadelphia’s victory over Brooklyn after missing five games with a sprained right ankle. Bona possibly having such an increased role following an extended absence is undesirable.
The 22-year-old will provide athleticism on both ends of the court, nevertheless. But, he must avoid foul trouble – his biggest issue of his career so far – because the 76ers have limited options otherwise.
Walker had five personal fouls while Broome totaled three in seven minutes during Philadelphia’s win against the Nets. While it’s a one-game sample size, the 76ers will face a formidable frontcourt in Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, which may not bode well for Walker and Broome.
Walkers’ rebounding and spot-up shooting has yielded him some success at power forward this season. His skillset is catered more towards playing the four than center, but injuries may force Nurse to play Walker at the five. Meanwhile, Broome has found success with the Delaware Blue Coats, which is yet to translate to the NBA level.