Injury Concerns Loom as 76ers Face Bulls Amid Seven-Game Losing Streak

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers will attempt to break a seven-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Bulls at 7:00 PM ET on Monday, February 24, 2025. The ongoing struggle for the 76ers has intensified, especially as superstar center Joel Embiid was ruled out for tonight’s match due to complications from a troublesome knee injury.

Coach Nick Nurse confirmed during a pregame media availability that the results of Embiid’s imaging tests earlier in the day led to his absence. “He did have some testing earlier today, which ruled him out for tonight’s game,” Nurse stated. The 30-year-old All-Star will continue to undergo evaluations and further testing in hopes of clarifying the next steps.

Despite worries surrounding Embiid’s condition, Coach Nurse remains optimistic, noting, “Not at that point at all. We are playing and testing and trying to figure it out and go from there.” This season, Embiid has been hampered by recurrent issues in his left knee, which initially flared up after a fall during a game against the Golden State Warriors on January 30, 2024.

Embiid has expressed frustration regarding his persistent knee problems and the lack of improvement. After a recent loss, he acknowledged the need to “fix the problem” in his knee to return to his prior elite form. Last season, he captured the NBA‘s Most Valuable Player award and averaged more points than minutes played, a feat not accomplished in six decades.

In his absence, the 76ers’ performance has significantly waned. They have struggled to maintain competitiveness, losing in critical moments, such as in last Thursday’s blowout against the Milwaukee Bucks, where Embiid’s fourth-quarter absence was notably felt. As Nurse remarked, “We want him to play; our best version of our team is with him playing and getting to where we want to go.”

Embiid’s statistics reflect his ongoing difficulties; he is averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season while struggling with shooting percentages of 44.4% overall and 29.9% from three-point range, both of which are career lows.

The stakes for the matchup are high for both teams as they vie for position in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the 76ers are seated 12th with a 20-36 record while the Bulls sit at 10th with a 22-35 mark. The 76ers have been historically favored in their recent encounters, winning their last three meetings against the Bulls. However, the absence of Embiid casts uncertainty over their chances.

By contrast, the Bulls also face a challenge, having lost six consecutive games. They recently traded away star player Zach LaVine, indicating a shift towards a roster transition. Currently, Bulls player Nikola Vucevic is averaging a career-best 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds, presenting a potential threat if Embiid is sidelined.

With both teams grappling with injuries and struggling for momentum, tonight’s game is set to be a critical juncture in their competitive seasons. The atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center promises to be charged as fans hope to witness a turning point for the 76ers.