The Philadelphia 76ers prepare for their second straight game on Saturday night as they play the Charlotte Hornets, hoping to build on their victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Joel Embiid, the current MVP, put on a dominant performance against the Magic, going off for 36 points, good for 19 games and extending his streak of 30+ points that began in mid-November.
Embiid has been on a run since his recent three-game injury layoff. In his first game back, he scored 41 points against the Houston Rockets, igniting the MVP argument. On Tuesday night, the Sixers defeated Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, further intensifying the discussion.
The 28-year-old’s knee problems, which included swelling and inflammation, were the cause of his current injury scare, which afflicted him for about a week.
Despite the appearance that Embiid might be forced to sit out Saturday night’s game against the Hornets owing to his recuperating from an injury, he will start for Philadelphia.
He’ll be quite the sight for sore eyes as Nick Nurse is already without backup center Mo Bamba, who continues to be sidelined due to inflammation in his right knee.
There’s the opportunity for Embiid to continue to add to his impressive career stat line against Charlotte, as the 28-year-old averages a 30-point 12-rebound double double against them.
The Sixers are set to take on the Hornets on Saturday night, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.