Philadelphia 76ers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot) was able to return to practice on Thursday, according to coach Nick Nurse as reported by NBC's Noah Levick. Embiid has missed the last two games for Philadelphia with a foot sprain and has been limited to just 13 games this season due to a variety of issues and injuries. He has averaged 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks in his 29.5 minutes per game, and he hasn't fully ramped up to his typical 30+ minute workload. He definitely has a chance to play on Friday in Philly's next game, which is at home against the Pelicans. Stay tuned for his official status and more updates on Embiid's potential return leading up to Friday's tip time.

Philadelphia 76ers centerAndre Drummond(toe) is out for Wednesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards, according to Ky Carlin of USA Today. Drummond's absence was expected as he was deemed doubtful earlier in the day. Joel Embiid(foot) is also out, so Guerschon Yabusele will likely see plenty of action and get the start at center going up against the Wizards. Dummond's next opportunity to suit up will be versus New Orleans on Friday.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (hip) will miss a second straight game on Wednesday after being listed out along with Joel Embiid (foot) and Paul George (groin). Without two of their three superstars, the Sixers will have to lean heavily on Tyrese Maxey. Lowry won't be available to work with Maxey in the backcourt, leaving Reggie Jackson, Eric Gordon, and Jeff Dowtin as the main guard depth options available. Maxey played 44 minutes with Lowry out on Monday, finishing with an impressive stat line of 31 points, 10 assists, and two steals. With limited options once again on Wednesday, he's likely to be very busy in a favorable matchup against the Wizards.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has played in 14 straight games, but that streak will come to an end on Wednesday against the Wizards since he was listed as out due to left groin tightness. George played 38 minutes on Monday in the Sixers' loss to the Suns and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. He and Joel Embiid (foot) will both be sidelined, leaving plenty of work for Tyrese Maxey in a smash spot against the Wizards. When George missed time earlier this season, Kelly Oubre and Caleb Martin were more involved, but both were already in the starting five on Monday. Eric Gordon and Ricky Council IV could get more work in George's place on Wednesday, but Maxey will have to step in and carry most of the offense, which he has proven he can do regularly so far this season.

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) could be returning to a big role on Wednesday against the Wizards since fellow center Joel Embiid (foot) was listed as out. Drummond has started 14 games this season, averaging 8.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 24.2 minutes in those contests. He'll be an interesting option for DFS and streaming if he does get the start in place of Embiid, but if he misses another game with his sprained toe, Guerschon Yabusele could be set for a second straight start. On Monday in the Sixers' 10-point loss, Yabusele played 36 minutes with Drummond and Embiid both out and racked up 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Wizards have been a very favorable matchup for centers, so either Drummond or Yabusele will have a good ceiling on Wednesday.