This game brings us a first-round preview as a pair of Atlantic Division teams take the floor in the Big Apple. The Philadelphia 76ers are on the road as they make the short trip to take on the Brooklyn Nets Sunday afternoon.
Update Injury Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets
On the same night that Philadelphia won 136-131 in overtime in Atlanta, Brooklyn defeated Orlando 101-84 at home.
The 76ers enjoy a 122-88 advantage in the all-time regular season series and have won all three encounters so far this year. The most recent matchup, which took place on February 11, was won by a score of 101-98 away from home.
Philadelphia won for the fourth time in six games on the road against Atlanta on Friday night, despite sitting all five starters.
The 76ers improved to 53-28 on the season and have clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Joel Embiid leads the 76ers this season with 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while James Harden averages 21 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.
Arcoding to report, Joel Embiid will sit out the final two regular-season games before the playoff series against the Nets. The MVP favorite finished the regular season in 34.6 minutes per game, averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steals.
Dewayne Dedmon, Montrezl Harrell, and Paul Reed should see increased playing time in Sunday’s game.
James Harden (Achilles/rest) will also miss this game.
Unsurprisingly, the 76ers will rest Harden and Joel Embiid (calf/rest) as much as possible ahead of their first-round matchup against the Nets.
Harden finishes a hampered 2022-23 season averaging 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 58 games. For the first time since 2011-12, he did not make an All-Star team.
Injury report 76ers:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| De’Anthony Melton | Calf | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Tyrese Maxey | Neck | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| James Harden | Achilles | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Tobias Harris | Hip | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Georges Niang | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Joel Embiid | Rest | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| P.J. Tucker | Calf | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
Injury report Nets:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Royce O’Neale | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Nicolas Claxton | Rest | Game Time Decision |
| Edmond Sumner | Hip | Game Time Decision |
| Dorian Finney-Smith | Wrist | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | Rest | Game Time Decision |
| Seth Curry | Ankle | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Joe Harris | Rest | Game Time Decision |
| Cameron Johnson | Rest | Expected to be out until at least Apr 15 |
| Ben Simmons | Back | Out for the season |
