The Philadelphia 76ers listed Joel Embiid off their initial injury report ahead of Saturday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, a notable development for a team that has carefully managed his availability in recent months. Paul George was also not listed, while Quentin Grimes (right ankle sprain) is probable.
The report reflected progress on two fronts for Philadelphia — on-court stability with Embiid and increased financial flexibility created by George’s ongoing suspension.
Before the suspension, the 76ers faced limited paths to move below the luxury tax line, with potential scenarios requiring the salary dump of Kelly Oubre Jr. or more complex roster maneuvering involving Andre Drummond and minimum contracts.
With George’s salary temporarily removed from the payroll, Philadelphia now sits approximately $1.3 million above the luxury tax threshold, a margin that can be cleared more easily and provides greater flexibility as the trade deadline approaches.
Joel Embiid’s Availability Reaches Most Stable Stretch in Two Years
For Embiid, the clean injury report marks another step in what has been his most consistent stretch of play since tearing his meniscus exactly two years ago Friday. He has appeared in 14 of the 76ers’ last 17 games, missing only the second nights of back-to-back sets. During that span, his absences have been scheduled rather than injury-related.
Across those 14 games, Embiid has averaged 34.0 minutes, 29.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Being omitted from the injury report entirely — even without a probable designation — had not occurred in nearly three months, underscoring the stability he has maintained over the past month.
The NBA has just suspended Philadelphia’s Paul George for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug program: pic.twitter.com/DiXs1bkbQP
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 31, 2026
Paul George Suspension Alters Cap Outlook As Return Date Approaches
George remains sidelined while serving a 25-game suspension that will keep him out until late March. The suspension will cost George approximately $11.7 million, while the 76ers will receive a luxury tax credit of about $5.9 million, significantly reducing their tax exposure and shifting their position closer to the threshold.
In a statement to ESPN, George addressed the situation.
“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,” George said. “I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates and the Philly fans for my poor decision making during this process.
“I am focused on using this time to make sure that my mind and body are in the best condition to help the team when I return.”
George has averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27 games this season. The earliest he can return is March 25 at home against the Chicago Bulls, at which point the 76ers will have 10 regular-season games remaining.
VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes Among Options to Step Up
In George’s absence, Philadelphia has redistributed responsibilities along the wing. VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes have both taken on expanded roles, with Edgecombe providing scoring punch and secondary playmaking, while Grimes has handled increased ball movement and perimeter defense.
Edgecombe has averaged 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 19 games without George this season. Grimes has posted 14.5 points, 4.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 20 such games, frequently serving as a connective piece in the offense.
Grimes remains on the injury report after missing the past two games. He completed a pregame workout prior to Philadelphia’s win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday but was downgraded from questionable to out shortly after. His absence has also opened opportunities in the backcourt, including an expanded role earlier in the week for Jared McCain.
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