76ers Vs Celtics: Embiid Out After MRI as Celtics Bring Historic Shooting Night to Primetime
An MRI on Saturday confirmed Joel Embiid sustained a right oblique strain and Philadelphia will be without the center for Sunday’s matchup, shifting the stakes for the 76ers vs celtics primetime game in Boston. The change matters immediately: the Celtics arrive on a surge of efficiency after a historic shooting performance and a long winning run.
Celtics shooting vs Nets
Boston’s momentum was on full display Friday, when the Celtics produced a historically hot night in a blowout of the Nets. The team hit 66. 7 percent of its shots and made 64. 7 percent of its 3-pointers in that game, and the victory over Brooklyn extended a run in which the Celtics have won 10 of their last 12.
Joel Embiid injury and Philadelphia status
Philadelphia confirmed an MRI on Saturday showed Embiid sustained a right oblique strain during the team’s win over the Heat. As a result, the center will be unavailable for Sunday’s game. The absence follows Philadelphia’s three-game winning streak, which itself followed a four-game losing streak that stretched either side of the All-Star break. The immediate effect is a short-term loss of the team’s starting center for a matchup hosted by a Boston team playing elite offense.
76ers Vs Celtics: availability and medical notes
Boston listed Baylor Scheierman as questionable with a thumb issue. For Philadelphia, the MRI outcome for Embiid has been decisive: the team will proceed without him. The timing matters because the Celtics’ recent shooting outburst and Boston’s 10-of-12 stretch arrive as Philadelphia loses a primary interior presence coming off its own momentum swing.
Game time, venue and broadcast
Tip-off is set for 8 p. m. at TD Garden. The game will be carried on NBC and Peacock, making Sunday night a national showcase for both teams under altered lineups.
Team records, betting lines and recent form
Philadelphia enters the matchup with a season record of 33-26; against the spread they are 32-26 with one push, and their over/under record is 31-27 with one push. Over the last 10 games the 76ers are 5-5, 5-5 against the spread and 6-4 on over/under results. Boston’s season mark stands at 39-20; against the spread the Celtics are 34-25 with over/under results at 22-37. In the last 10 games Boston is 8-2, 7-3 against the spread and 3-7 on over/under outcomes.
Stat lines and match-up numbers
Offensively, Philadelphia averages 116. 7 points per game to Boston’s 115. 0. Defensively, Philadelphia allows 115. 9 points per game while Boston allows 107. 5. Shooting splits show Philadelphia with a. 461 field-goal percentage and Boston at. 468. Opponents shoot. 470 against Philadelphia and. 442 against Boston. From deep, Philadelphia connects at. 357 and Boston at. 365; opponent 3-point percentages are. 356 for teams facing Philadelphia and. 360 for teams facing Boston.
Tyrese Maxey milestone
In Philadelphia’s most recent game, Tyrese Maxey passed Allen Iverson to set the franchise record for made 3-pointers, reaching 887 career triples. That milestone underscores a recent offensive thrust for the 76ers even as they prepare to play without Embiid.
Sunday’s 76ers vs celtics game pairs a Boston roster on a torrid shooting run against a Philadelphia team forced to adjust after a confirmed oblique strain sidelined its center. With tip scheduled for 8 p. m. at TD Garden and national broadcast on NBC and Peacock, both teams face immediate tactical questions: Boston can press its recent efficiency, while Philadelphia must reconfigure matchups and rotations without Embiid.
