Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs. Suns? Final status for 76ers star

Michael Kaskey-Blomain

Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs. Suns? Final status for 76ers star image

The Philadelphia 76ers will be playing their second game in two nights when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.

Fresh off of a 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, the Sixers will look to stretch their winning streak to two with a win over the Suns.

Joel Embiid ruled out on second night of back-to-back vs. Suns

Unfortunately for the Sixers, the game being the second night of a back-to-back means that star center Joel Embiid won’t be available for the game. Embiid has been officially ruled out of the game for right ankle injury management.

MoreJoel Embiid hits 76ers franchise milestone against Cavaliers

While it’s a bummer that Embiid will be sidelined for the game against Phoenix, it's not surprising. The star center isn't expected to play in both nights of a b2b all season.

But, Embiid has been largely available for Philadelphia since the calendar flipped to 2026. The former NBA MVP has appeared in nine out of Philadelphia’s 10 games so far in January.

In those nine games, the big man has averaged 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32.4 minutes per performance. 

The game between Philadelphia and Phoenix will be the first of two meetings on the season between the two teams. The Suns will also host the Sixers in February. 

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Contributing Writer