76ers star Joel Embiid to miss time after suffering oblique strain

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/embiid-joel/G2hZm0nI/"]Embiid[/a], 31, didn't take part in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-76ers/vwRW2QSh/"]76ers[/a]' Saturday practice, and the team said he had increased soreness in his right side after he was injured in Thursday's home win over the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-heat/CQ7AXnT5/"]Miami Heat[/a].[/p][p]Embiid was hurt in the first half but finished the matchup against Miami with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He hit a game-sealing three-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining.[/p][p]The Sixers said an MRI exam revealed the strain. Embiid will miss Sunday's game against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Celtics[/a] in Boston and games against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-antonio-spurs/IwmkErSH/"]San Antonio Spurs[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utah-jazz/hGuCX5Su/"]Utah Jazz[/a] before he is reevaluated.[/p][embed guid="cb68db91-3535-40b0-8fb9-dfb57f5d18e8" url="https://x.com/DerekBodnerNBA/status/2027867135297388930?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The Cameroon-born star, who won 2024 Olympic gold with the United States, has dealt with a raft of injuries in his NBA career.[/p][p]He returned on Tuesday after missing five games with a stress reaction in his right shin and for continued management of nagging knee trouble.[/p][p]He has had multiple knee surgeries and played in just 19 games last season after missing significant time in the 2023-24 campaign.[/p][p]Rookie teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/edgecombe-jr-valdez/GSA6NTGG/"]FJ Edgecombe[/a] said Embiid's effort in powering through on Thursday showed he wanted to be on the floor with his teammates.[/p][p][b]"The media make it seem like he don't want to play basketball,"[/b] Edgecombe said. "[b]Like, come on. He's out there in pain, and he made a big shot at the end of the game. He barely could raise his right hand up. But that shows his character, too. He cares about winning."[/b][/p][p]Embiid's latest absence comes as the 76ers are hanging on to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, one and a half games in front of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-magic/QZMS36Dn/"]Orlando[/a] for the final direct entry berth to the playoffs.[/p][p]They are without nine-time All-Star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/george-paul/KOvfaZVQ/"]Paul George[/a] until March 25 as he serves a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA anti-drug program by taking an improper medication.[/p]