Is Joel Embiid playing tonight? 76ers at Rockets injury update for December 29

The Philadelphia 76ers managed to carve out an impressive win on the road against the upstart Orlando Magic last Wednesday, bumping their record to 21-9 and notching their first dub of the year sans the reigning Most Valuable Player in Joel Embiid.

Another great test awaits the 76ers, as they are set to take on the Houston Rockets on the road. Following a disappointing season where they turned in the second-worst record in the NBA, the Rockets have impressed many as they are currently touting a winning record behind a stingy defense and a more organized offense now boosted by their veteran additions.

Joel Embiid will once again be sidelined for the 76ers against the Rockets tonight

Unfortunately for Philly, Embiid is set to miss his third consecutive outing against Houston due to the same ankle injury he incurred in their win over the Toronto Raptors.

Embiid’s absence leaves the team with a huge void to fill offensively, as he’s currently topping the association in scoring at 35 a game. In addition, the 76ers could be very vulnerable inside, as Alperen Sengun has carried Houston’s offense and has emerged as a viable candidate for the Most Improved Player award.

Paul Reed and Mo Bamba are expected to continue seeing an uptick in minutes. Hopefully, their encouraging play in recent games carry over against the Rockets and their stingy defense which ranks second in the league.

In separate news, starting forward Nicolas Batum will also sit out for the fifth consecutive game due to a right hamstring sprain, though he could return to play against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

On the flip side, the Rockets will miss the services of Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith, their starting forwards.