Nicolas Batum remains out for Sixers vs. Celtics; Joel Embiid (hip soreness) available to play

Joel Embiid will play in the 76ers’ marquee rematch against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday after being listed as questionable with left hip soreness entering the game.

Following Tuesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, Embiid acknowledged, “I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t moving as well as I have been moving” after also being listed as questionable heading into that game and playing through the ailment. He still went on to finish with 39 points — including a 17-of-17 mark from the free-throw line — 12 rebounds, and six assists in the loss.

Embiid, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, enters Wednesday as the league’s leading scorer at 33.1 points per game, and is also averaging 11.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks.

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Additionally, Sixers starting forward Nicolas Batum will miss his second consecutive game for personal reasons, which also kept him out of his first two contests with the Sixers following his acquisition in the blockbuster trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. Coach Nick Nurse said during his pregame news conference that Batum is expected to be back with the Sixers by Sunday afternoon’s game at the Brooklyn Nets, and perhaps as soon as Friday’s matchup at the Atlanta Hawks. Batum has averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds in four games with the Sixers, while making 8 of 13 three-point attempts. He has also been praised for his defensive versatility and know-how.

Robert Covington will again start in Batum’s place against Boston, Nurse said. Covington held that role Tuesday against the Pacers, although he did not play in the fourth quarter and Danuel House Jr. and Patrick Beverley instead received the crunch-time minutes.

Starting forward Tobias Harris will also start after being listed as probable to play with neck pain, after briefly leaving Tuesday’s loss for concussion protocols when his head and neck bent awkwardly while getting inadvertently tangled with airborne Pacer Bruce Brown. Harris is off to a terrific start this season, averaging 19.9 points on 57.6% shooting, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

Celtics standouts Jaylen Brown (non-COVID illness) and Kristaps Porzingis (right knee bruise) are both out for Wednesday’s game.

The Sixers (8-2) beat the Celtics (8-2) last Wednesday, 106-103, in a matchup of the Eastern Conference’s top early-season teams. Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers snapped the Sixers’ eight-game winning streak.