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Sixers’ Joel Embiid will play vs. Detroit Pistons

Embiid has already missed one game with back tightness and two other games with right knee pain.

Sixers center Joel Embiid runs into Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III on Friday, January 22, 2021 in Philadelphia.
Sixers center Joel Embiid runs into Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III on Friday, January 22, 2021 in Philadelphia.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
    by Keith Pompey
    Updated 
    Published 

DETROIT — Joel Embiid will play against the Detroit Pistons Saturday night.

The 76ers center had been listed as questionable for the contest at Little Caesars Arena with back tightness. Embiid fell hard on his back during Friday’s 122-110 victory over the Boston Celtics. He got up, reached back to grab his lower back, and grimaced in pain before quickly resuming play.

Embiid had already missed one game this season with back tightness and two other games with right knee pain.

The three-time All-Star finished with 38 points and 11 rebounds against the Celtics on Friday night. Eleven of his points came in the fourth quarter.

Friday marked the third time Embiid has finished with at least 38 points and 10 rebounds in his last four games.

On paper, the Sixers should win Saturday night. They have the Eastern Conference’s best record of 11-5, while the Pistons (3-12) are the NBA’s worst team. Detroit is riding a three-game losing streak and has lost five of its last six contests.

» READ MORE: Three reasons why the Sixers beat the Boston Celtics, 122-110

Mike Scott (right knee swelling) and Vincent Poirier (health and safety protocols) remain sidelined. The Pistons will be without Derrick Rose (left knee soreness), Killian Hayes (right hip strain), and Blake Griffin (left knee injury management).