The Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be surging before the NBA trade deadline, but they went into a mini-slump right after it. They went 1-3 heading into the All-Star break, with star center Joel Embiid missing the final two games.
Now, they try to begin the second half of the season on a positive note against the upstart Atlanta Hawks. With a roster loaded with young talent, Atlanta decided to ship off Trae Young to the Washington Wizards and begin a new era.
The Hawks swung a big trade-deadline deal for former Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn’t played since the middle of January.
With about a week off, both teams are hoping to get their guys back, so let’s see who will be in the lineup tonight.
76ers Injury Report: Joel Embiid Availability
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Just getting on the court to start this season was an accomplishment for Embiid after there was a serious discussion about whether he’d be forced to medically retire.
He didn’t start out great after playing intermittently over the last two years, but he looks to be nearing a return to his MVP form.
Embiid is averaging 29.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game since the start of the new year, but that production will be lost tonight against Atlanta.
This is problematic news for the 76ers because the majority of their star’s missed games this season have been the result of his chronic knee issues.
Embiid has suffered countless lower-body injuries throughout his 12-year career, and this shin soreness is just another painful addition to the list.
Luckily for Philadelphia, they don’t have anyone else on the injury report, so maybe they will be able to overcome Embiid’s absence.
Hawks Injury Report: Jonathan Kuminga Availability
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Kuminga’s career has been extremely convoluted, being selected with the No. 7 overall pick in 2021, but failing to find a consistent role in the Warriors’ rotation.
He received an abnormal amount of Did Not Play designations for a lottery pick, which led to his trade demand and eventual move to Atlanta.
The Hawks took a chance on Kuminga, as he was dealing with a knee injury when they acquired him.
That risk still hasn’t paid off because he will be held out of tonight’s contest against Philadelphia, marking his 10th missed game in a row.
Atlanta has a talented assortment of young wing players, so it will be hard to miss a player who hasn’t suited up for them yet.
However, Kuminga showed the ability to thrive in a featured role during last year’s playoff run when Warriors guard Stephen Curry missed most of the second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While the Hawks’ future is currently centered around emerging star Jalen Johnson, Kuminga can force himself into the equation with some strong play when he returns.