Joel Embiid Sidelined for Spurs Clash with Oblique Strain
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without their star center Joel Embiid when they host the San Antonio Spurs on March 3, 2026. Embiid has been officially ruled out due to a strained right oblique, as confirmed by an MRI conducted on February 28. This injury occurred during a recent victory over the Miami Heat, forcing him to exit the game prematurely.
Injury Timeline and Impact on 76ers
Embiid is anticipated to miss a minimum of three games, with his earliest potential return set for March 7 against the Atlanta Hawks. This absence deals a significant blow to the 76ers, who currently hold a 33-26 record and rank fourth in the Atlantic Division. In contrast, the Spurs arrive with a formidable 43-17 record, leading the Southwest Division.
The league's injury report, updated at 4:45 PM ET, lists Embiid as out for the 7:00 PM ET tipoff. With Embiid unavailable, Andre Drummond is expected to start at center, while Adem Bona will handle backup minutes. They face a challenging matchup against Spurs' standout Victor Wembanyama in the paint.
Detailed 76ers Injury Report
Philadelphia's injury woes extend beyond Embiid, with several key players also sidelined:
- Joel Embiid: Out with a right oblique strain.
- Paul George: Out due to a league suspension.
- Johni Broome: Out following right knee surgery.
- Kelly Oubre Jr.: Out because of illness.
Additionally, MarJon Beauchamp is unavailable due to a G-League assignment, though Tyrese Martin and Dalen Terry remain active on two-way contracts. The expected active players for the 76ers include:
- Tyrese Maxey (Guard)
- Quentin Grimes (Guard)
- Kyle Lowry (Guard)
- Trendon Watford (Forward)
- Dominick Barlow (Forward)
- VJ Edgecombe (Guard)
- Justin Edwards (Forward)
- Adem Bona (Center)
- Andre Drummond (Center)
With Embiid out, Tyrese Maxey is likely to assume a larger scoring role to compensate for the loss of offensive production.
Spurs Injury Report and Game Implications
San Antonio enters the game with a relatively healthier roster. Their injury report includes:
- Mason Plumlee: Out for return to competition reconditioning.
- Harrison Ingram, David Jones Garcia, and Emanuel Miller: All out due to G-League assignments.
The expected active Spurs players are:
- De’Aaron Fox (Guard)
- Victor Wembanyama (Forward/Center)
- Devin Vassell (Guard)
- Keldon Johnson (Forward)
- Stephon Castle (Guard)
- Harrison Barnes (Forward)
- Julian Champagnie (Forward)
- Dylan Harper (Guard)
- Kelly Olynyk (Forward/Center)
- Bismack Biyombo (Center)
Embiid's absence means Philadelphia loses its primary inside scorer and rim protector, placing added pressure on Drummond and Bona to perform defensively. San Antonio, with Wembanyama leading a strong frontcourt, holds a competitive advantage. This has influenced betting lines, shifting favor toward the Spurs ahead of the 7:00 PM ET tipoff.
