Joel Embiid, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow all out vs. Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Quentin Grimes (illness), and Dominick Barlow (illness) will miss the 76ers’ game Monday at the Trail Blazers, the team announced.

The absences leave the Sixers without three rotation players for the final matchup of a five-game Western Conference road trip. Andre Drummond and Trendon Watford will start in place of Embiid and Barlow, respectively.

Embiid has been dominant offensively in recent weeks, and is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 31 games. Barlow, who recently was converted from a two-way contract to a standard deal, arguably has been the Sixers’ most pleasant surprise in averaging 8.4 points, five rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one steal in 42 games with 35 starts at forward. Grimes has been the Sixers’ sixth man for much of the season, averaging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 48 games.

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Coach Nick Nurse said during his pregame news conference that Grimes’ sickness emerged during Monday morning’s shootaround. Grimes was present at the Moda Center about an hour before tipoff, but was in street clothes inside the locker room. Barlow was also at the arena and took the floor for his pregame on-court workout.

The Sixers (30-22) could rely on Watford for more offense-initiating responsibilities, or on Justin Edwards for increased wing minutes. Kyle Lowry also could be a guard option off the bench. The Sixers are missing the suspended wing Paul George, who is a strong playmaker, while guards Jared McCain and Eric Gordon were traded last week. Jabari Walker, who has been in the rotation as a reserve big man for much of the season, is ineligible to play Monday because he has reached the maximum allowed 50 NBA games while on a two-way contract.

After Monday’s game in Portland, the Sixers host the New York Knicks Wednesday and then enter the All-Star break.