Clippers at 76ers
A tender right ankle didn't prevent All-Star center Joel Embiid from another dominating performance but there is the usual suspense regarding his availability for Saturday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Embiid has played on back-to-back nights only once in his NBA career and a decision on whether he plays against the Clippers after starring against New Orleans on Friday will be made Saturday afternoon.
Embiid contributed 24 points and 16 rebounds for his 27th double-double of the campaign in the 100-82 thrashing of the Pelicans and was needed to play only 24 minutes because of Philadelphia holding a 32-point lead after three quarters. But the 23-year-old said afterward that the ankle was feeling really sore and that he wanted to see how it felt Saturday before consulting with team medics. The Clippers have won five of their past six games after opening a seven-game road trip with a 108-95 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday. How much energy is left in the tank for the second end of a road back-to-back could be an issue for Los Angeles after an emotional victory in the first meeting with recently traded star forward Blake Griffin.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (28-25): Guard Austin Rivers returned from an 18-game absence because of a heel injury to contribute 16 points and five assists in 32 minutes against the Pistons. Coach Doc Rivers likes pairing his son with scoring dynamo Lou Williams down the stretch of games and Williams had another strong outing with 26 points against Detroit to reach 20 or more points for the 21st time in the past 23 contests. Forward Tobias Harris had only 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting in his return to Detroit after averaging 21.5 points in his two games after being part of the return for Griffin.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (27-25): The saga of No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz took another twist Friday when general manager Bryan Colangelo couldn't pinpoint whether the guard will play again this season. Fultz has played in only four games this season because of a shoulder injury that was first mysterious in nature and later caused him to change his shot and he is currently limited to only practicing jumpers was inside the free-throw lane. "There's always a chance that he's going to be out there soon, and there's a chance that he's not going to play this year," Colangelo told reporters. "I can't answer that question because we don't know the answer."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers have won the past two meetings after losing 12 of the previous 14.
2. Los Angeles PG Milos Teodosic (foot) sat out against Detroit and is expected to also miss Saturday's game.
3. Philadelphia F Dario Saric is averaging 22 points over the past two games after scoring 24 on 8-of-11 shooting against the Pelicans.