Joel

Embiid

Yabusele’s role has been expanded now that Joel Embiid is out for the season. He could make a spot start at center if Andre Drummond is ruled out.

After consulting top specialists, the 76ers determined that Embiid is medically unable to play and will miss the rest of the season, according to a team statement. The two sides will continue working with medical experts to determine a treatment plan going forward. The 30-year-old center played against the Celtics and Nets last week, but didn’t look like himself out there. With Embiid shutdown for the rest of the season, Guerschon Yabusele and Andre Drummond will handle the center minutes in Philadelphia. Drummond is still available in most leagues and worth adding.

Embiid is set to miss his third consecutive game on Saturday while 76ers brass works on a plan of action for him. Philadelphia will likely start Andre Drummond or Guerschon Yabusele against the Dubs.

With Joel Embiid (knee) and Guerschon Yabusele (eye) out, Drummond moved into the starting lineup Wednesday night. While the scoring output was limited, the rebounds, assists and steals can be helpful to deep-league managers. During the game, ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth reported that there may be more clarity regarding Embiid’s status coming within the next 48 hours, which will impact Drummond’s fantasy prospects for the rest of the season. Rostered in 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he may become a “must-add” player by the end of Week 17.

Embiid continues to remain in a holding pattern with his knee injury. Guerschon Yabusele figures to continue to fill in as a starter when Embiid is out while Andre Drummond will see minutes off the bench.

Charania’s report also indicated that Embiid and the 76ers will “consult with doctors and collaborate with specialists after he completed new imaging” on Monday. Charania had previously reported that they are considering “alternative options for treating his left knee.” Philadelphia currently sits in 12th place in the East with a 20-36 record. They aren’t far out of a spot in the Play-In Tournament, but it may be in their best interest to forego a shot at a championship this season and allow Embiid to undergo a procedure to ensure he is healthy ahead of the 2025-26 season. The 76ers’ first round pick is top-six protected, and they currently hold the sixth-best odds in the lottery. Adding an early pick in a loaded class, instead of surrendering their pick to the Thunder, may also be a factor in their decision. Guerschon Yabusele has played well all season when Embiid has sat, and Nick Nurse will certainly turn to Andre Drummond more as long as Embiid is out of the lineup.

Embiid has looked like a shell of himself for most of this season, and it was reported on Super Bowl Sunday that he may need another surgery (and a lengthy rehab process) to get his left knee back to full strength. According to Charania, the former NBA MVP and the 76ers are considering alternative treatment options, as methods like injections have not had the desired effect. With Philadelphia 20-36 on the season, fantasy managers should prepare for the worst-case scenario: Embiid getting shut down for the rest of the year. Guerschon Yabusele, who’s rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo! leagues, is the player who should be targeted on waiver wires.

Embiid labored through 31 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Nets but did not play at all during the fourth quarter. If he cannot play on Monday, Embiid will be replaced in the starting lineup by Guerschon Yabusele. Rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Yabusele is worth adding now, even if Embiid plays. The 76ers have lost seven straight and may be forced to make difficult decisions regarding Embiid’s availability for the rest of the season.

Embiid has looked a shell of himself most of this season, and it’s fair to question if things hit a low point on Saturday. The former league MVP labored through his movements all night, and Guerschon Yabusele (five points, eight rebounds, one assist, three steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in 23 minutes) played the entire fourth quarter at the center position. Embiid has spoken about making compromises in certain areas of his game, especially defensively, to protect his injured left knee. And with the 76ers on a seven-game losing streak, the team’s medical staff and front office may need to make a serious decision regarding Embiid’s availability for the rest of the season. Even if Joel continues to play, now would be a good time to gamble on Yabusele, who’s rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Embiid was back in the lineup after sitting out Philadelphia’s final game before the break, and he didn’t look great. The former MVP shot 33.3 percent from the field, needing a perfect night from the foul line saved the points tally. While the 76ers remain within striking distance of a play-in spot, the 76ers braintrust may have to consider shutting Embiid down if he continues to labor though his knee injury. The knee will likely require surgery and a lengthy absence at some point for Embiid to regain full strength.