Key Takeaways:
- Joel Embiid is OUT (right ankle injury management) for 76ers vs. Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.
- Paul George is QUESTIONABLE (left knee injury management) after sitting Monday.
- Jalen Green is AVAILABLE for the Suns after a 33-game absence with a right hamstring strain.
- Records: 76ers 23-18 (5th East), Suns 26-17 (7th West).
- Andre Drummond expected to start at center for Philly; Kelly Oubre Jr. AVAILABLE.
- Mark Williams QUESTIONABLE for Phoenix; Johni Broome DOUBTFUL for Philly; MarJon Beauchamp OUT (G League).
The Philadelphia 76ers opened their Tuesday night home date against the Phoenix Suns with a major absence and a notable return defining the storyline. On January 20, 2026, Joel Embiid was ruled out due to right ankle injury management, while the Suns officially welcomed back Jalen Green after a 33-game layoff with a hamstring strain. One superstar sits, one scorer returns, and both teams adjust on the fly.
It is the kind of midseason twist that can shape rotations, test depth, and nudge the standings. The 76ers entered at 23-18, fifth in the East. The Suns arrived at 26-17, seventh in the West. The context matters: this is the second night of a back-to-back for Philadelphia, and Embiid hasn’t been cleared to play both legs this season.
Embiid sits on the back-to-back: what it means for the 76ers
Embiid dominated Monday in a 113-104 win over the Pacers, posting 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists on 58.8% shooting in 33 minutes. But the plan has been firm: protect his ankle and avoid back-to-back stress. This is his second missed game in an 11-game span, both tied to back-to-backs.
For the rotation, that points to Andre Drummond stepping into the starting center spot. Expect a simpler offensive menu built around pick-and-rolls, second-chance effort, and paint rim runs. Embiid’s season line—24.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.3 assists on 47.7% shooting, and 26.1% from three—won’t be replaced by one player. It will take pace from Tyrese Maxey, size from Drummond, and shot-making from the wings.
There’s also the Paul George question. George, who missed Monday’s win with left knee injury management, was listed as questionable. Philadelphia has been staggering Embiid and George on this back-to-back: Embiid played Monday; George could be the swing factor Tuesday if he’s cleared.
“If George plays and the pace pops, Philly can survive 48 minutes without Embiid.”
Jalen Green returns: Suns regain a burst of scoring and pace
On the other bench, the Suns unlocked a different kind of boost. Jalen Green is back after a long hamstring rehab that began in training camp, was re-aggravated during the team’s preseason trip to China, and flared again on November 7—one day after he dropped 29 points in 23 minutes in a November 6 return against the Clippers. That second game lasted less than seven minutes before the setback.
This time, Phoenix played it slow and careful. Suns coach Jordan Ott explained the call to hold Green one extra day before this return: “Just giving him the extra day. Played (5-on-5) Saturday. Because we do have a back-to-back, we knew he probably wouldn’t be playing in the back-to-back. Just seeing how he woke up this morning. Do we give him the extra day or not? That was the decision we made.”
Ott added the broader thinking around soft-tissue injuries: “When you do something again, obviously, there’s a level of caution. Young guy. Long career ahead and soft tissue. We’re trying to meet every metric possible on his rehab. He did it, but no setbacks.” The expectation is a measured ramp-up, but even limited minutes change the Suns’ spacing and shot profile.
“If Green is right, Phoenix’s half-court looks faster and cleaner from the jump.”
Maxey’s All-Star rise and the George variable
Maxey was named an All-Star Game starter for the first time in his career (his second All-Star nod overall). That’s more than a title—it’s a spotlight on his growth as a lead guard. Without Embiid, Maxey’s shot creation and tempo become the 76ers’ engine. His two-man game with Drummond can stress drop coverage, and his quickness can collapse the paint to open corner threes.
George’s status looms over all of that. If he suits up, the 76ers add a big wing shot-maker who can steady end-of-clock possessions. If he sits, even more falls on Maxey and the slashing of Kelly Oubre Jr., who is available as he continues recovery from a left knee issue.
“Maxey’s an All-Star starter now—tonight is the perfect test of his control without Embiid.”
Official injury status: who is in and who is out
Here are the confirmed listings from Tuesday:
- 76ers: Joel Embiid OUT (right ankle injury management); Paul George QUESTIONABLE (left knee injury management); Johni Broome DOUBTFUL (left thumb sprain); Kelly Oubre Jr. AVAILABLE (left knee recovery); MarJon Beauchamp OUT (G League assignment).
- Suns: Jalen Green AVAILABLE (back from right hamstring strain); Mark Williams QUESTIONABLE (right knee injury management).
What to watch in 76ers vs. Suns: matchups and rhythm
1) The glass and second chances. With Drummond in for Embiid, the 76ers will hunt offensive rebounds to make up for lost paint scoring. Phoenix must finish defensive stands to get into early offense, where Green’s speed can shine.
2) Guard pressure and turnovers. Maxey’s pace puts stress on pick-and-roll coverage. If the Suns flatten his drives and take away the first kick-out, the Sixers will need Oubre and the wings to hit open looks.
3) Jalen Green’s minutes and usage. Even in a controlled return, Green’s first step can bend a defense. Watch for simple actions—early drag screens, empty-corner drives—that let him read and go without overload.
4) Late-game creation. If George plays, Philly has another closer. If not, Phoenix may hold the half-court edge with Green’s burst and their wing size, especially if the game slows in the fourth.
“Schedule spot screams Phoenix—but the Sixers’ role guys can flip it if the threes fall.”
Standings stakes and the bigger picture
At 23-18, Philadelphia sits fifth in the East and fourth in the Atlantic Division. Managing Embiid’s ankle on back-to-backs is about long-term health and playoff readiness. In the near term, these spot absences test their depth and help define who can carry a bigger load in key minutes.
The Suns, 26-17 and seventh in the West, know every game matters in a crowded conference. Getting Green back is more than a short-term spark—it is a late-January reset with time to build rhythm. If he holds steady without setbacks, Phoenix’s half-court scoring ceiling rises.
Bottom line
The headliner writes itself: Embiid out, Green in. The 76ers will lean on Maxey’s All-Star stride, choose power on the boards with Drummond, and hope for George’s clearance. The Suns will move carefully with Green, but even a modest return changes their lineup math. It’s a midseason chess match set by injuries and returns—and it could tell us plenty about both teams’ roadmaps as the playoff race tightens.

