Joel Embiid Ruled Out for 76ers vs. Pacers Due to Plantar Fascia Management

The Philadelphia 76ers will be without center Joel Embiid on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers as he manages a right foot plantar fascia issue.

The Philadelphia 76ers ruled out center Joel Embiid for Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers to manage right foot plantar fascia, the team announced Saturday. Philadelphia enters the contest with a 1-1 record in games played without Embiid this season.

Frontcourt depth is further limited as big men Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain) and Dominick Barlow (back) have also been ruled out. Barlow has not appeared in a game this season; while Coach Nick Nurse noted Saturday that the center is progressing, there is currently no timeline for his return. Two-way player Tacko Fall remains the only active center on the roster. To fill the void, the Sixers are expected to utilize LeBron James, Jabari Walker, and Dean Wade in center responsibilities.

James was not listed on the Saturday injury report after missing Thursday's victory over the Toronto Raptors due to sciatica and low back management. When Embiid was absent previously this year, James started at center during a loss to Detroit, while Bona started in a win against the Charlotte Hornets.

Sunday’s matchup marks the start of a back-to-back set, with the 76ers scheduled to face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. According to ESPN, neither Embiid nor James has played both ends of a back-to-back sequence so far this season.