Boston plays first. The Celtics host Charlotte on Wednesday, so the Sixers get rest while Boston plays 2 games in 3 nights. That Hornets game will also show who's healthy. Devin Carter (illness) and Ron Harper Jr. (shoulder) were ruled out of the Sixers game. Luka Garza went to the locker room late in the 4th quarter of that game with a nose injury.
For Philadelphia, the blowout's real damage was at center. Ariel Hukporti is done for the year with a ruptured right Achilles. Tacko Fall has a hip strain that will keep him out at least 2 weeks. Adem Bona (foot) was only limited at Monday's practice. That left Jabari Walker starting at center against a big Boston frontcourt. He held up fine, with 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting and 6 rebounds, but if Embiid sits again, Philly has almost nobody behind him.
There were positives in the loss. VJ Edgecombe finished with 19 points, 4 assists and 4 steals and looked like the most ready-to-play Sixer on the floor. Labaron Philon Jr. added 14 points and 7 assists in 25 minutes off the bench. Tyrese Maxey started 0-for-4, and the team went 4-for-21 from 3. Anfernee Simons (hamstring) was also limited Monday and is another guard to watch.
Tipoff is 7:00 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena, and the result doesn't count. What matters more is whether Philadelphia lets its 3 stars play their first real minutes together against Boston before the games count. Boston has already shown it can run a short-handed Sixers team off the floor. Friday could show whether a full-strength Philly can do anything about it.