Sixers Injury Update: Embiid out Saturday, Korkmaz out indefinitely

Josh Liddick

December 29 2017

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Sixers announced their latest injury update on Friday afternoon as they head into the new year.

This update involves Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, Justin Anderson, Furkan Korkmaz, and a little bit of the usual regarding Markelle Fultz.

Joel Embiid (rest) will not play on Saturday when the Sixers visit the Nuggets in Denver. He'll get ready to play Sunday in Phoenix. It will be yet another front half of a back-to-back without Embiid in the rotation.

Embiid (out vs. Nuggets) will stay in Portland with a coach while the Sixers travel to Denver. He will meet the team in Phoenix for game vs. Suns. Allows him to get in work here, not put his body through extra travel.

— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) December 29, 2017

Small forward Robert Covington injured his left middle finger on a play late against the Blazers on Thursday night. The X-rays came back negative. Circumstances will determine whether he will be available for Saturday's matchup with the Nuggets.

Covington had x-rays on his left middle finger, which came back negative. He did light shooting and will receive treatment tomorrow to determine his availability vs. Nuggets. Anderson (shin splints) is doubtful. Today was a maintenance day for the Sixers, not a full practice.

— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) December 29, 2017

Additionally, Justin Anderson (shin splints) is doubtful for the game vs. Denver. He dressed on Thursday night, but didn't receive minutes like many thought he would. The medical staff treated Friday as a maintenance day for Anderson, he did not practice fully with the team.

Markelle Fultz (shoulder) participated in his regular individualized workouts, no real update from yesterday.

And finally, a bit of concerning news regarding shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz. Derek Bodner of the Athletic reported that Korkmaz's lisfranc injury in his foot will require him to be non weight bearing for the next three weeks, with a re-evaluation occurring in six more weeks.

Furkan Korkmaz (lisfranc injury) will be non-weight bearing for a minimum of the next 3 weeks, per source. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 6 weeks to determine whether he's capable of beginning rehabilitative basketball training at that time. #sixers

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) December 29, 2017

When asked if this could be a season-ending injury for Korkmaz, Bodner replied:

I think that's a fair expectation to set, Dooty.

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) December 29, 2017

Even if this does mean the end of the season for Korkmaz, Keith Pompey of the Inquirer reported that there is no surgery required for his injury.

.@FurkanKorkmazFK will not require surgery for his lisfranc fracture. #Sixers

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 29, 2017

It's hard to determine as of right now which of these players will be available for Saturday's matchup with the Nuggets, but you can expect Joel Embiid to take the floor for the Sixers when they have their rematch with Devin Booker and the Suns.