The Philadelphia Sixers' path to the 2024 playoffs starts Wednesday with a Play-In Tournament game against the Heat. Because the Sixers finished the regular season as the No. 7 seed, the game will be at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia went 2-2 against Miami in the regular season, and one of those losses came without Joel Embiid. He underwent knee surgery and missed two months of play but returned to the lineup on April 2. After returning, Embiid played six regular season games but missed Sunday's finale against Brooklyn.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported that Embiid sat out as a "precautionary measure" and that the expectation is he'll play on Wednesday. With Embiid in the lineup, the Sixers went 21-8 this season. Without him, they went 16-27.
The matchup isn't technically a must-win game, as Philadelphia's season won't end with a loss, but the Sixers should want to avoid an extra Play-In game to give Embiid more time to rest.
Joel Embiid's status for tonight's game vs. Heat
Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable.
UPDATE: Joel Embiid is available.
Joel Embiid warming up. He has a big brace on that left knee. He is expected to be ready to go tonight pic.twitter.com/cJ3LTmeH7a
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 17, 2024
Duncan Robinson's status for tonight's game vs. Sixers
Duncan Robinson (back) is listed as probable.
UPDATE: Duncan Robinson is available.
Terry Rozier's status for tonight's game vs. Sixers
Terry Rozier (neck) is out.
Sixers injury report
Joel Embiid (knee) and KJ Martin (toe) are questionable. De'Anthony Melton (back) and Robert Covington (knee) are out.
UPDATE: Joel Embiid and KJ Martin are available.
Heat injury report
Duncan Robinson (back) is probable. Terry Rozier (neck) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) are out.
UPDATE: Duncan Robinson is available.
Projected starting lineups tonight
Philadelphia: Tyrese Maxey, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid
Miami: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo
Who will the Sixers play if they win?
If Philadelphia beats Miami, the Sixers will secure the No. 7 seed in the East and play the Knicks in the first round. Game 1 will be on Saturday at MSG.