The Philadelphia 76ers enter MLK Day with a major question hanging over the matchup. Joel Embiid and Paul George are both listed as questionable for Monday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers, with the team managing left knee issues for each star ahead of a back-to-back set. The injury report posted at 4:30 p.m. underscores the cautious approach: decisions will come close to tip-off after warmups, and both players skipped shootaround earlier in the day.

It’s a clear sign of how the Sixers are balancing short-term wins with long-term health. The Pacers arrive shorthanded, and the Sixers are favored by 7.5 points, but the spotlight rests on Embiid and George and whether either will be cleared to go.

Why the “Questionable” tags matter tonight

Philadelphia is handling both stars carefully this season, particularly around back-to-backs. Monday’s game is the first leg, with the Phoenix Suns waiting on Tuesday. Embiid has yet to play both ends of a back-to-back, and the medical staff has kept a tight cap on his minutes when needed. George is on a similar plan with his left knee.

The injury report language tells the story: “The designation means he is not fully cleared to play by team doctors and that his status will likely only be decided shortly before tip-off.” In other words, the final call will be based on pregame testing and how the knee responds in warmups. That aligns with the status alert earlier in the day: “Joel Embiid, Paul George not seen participating in shootaround Monday.”

Embiid has pushed to be available more often in January. After one recent rest day, he said, “I feel OK… I was a little tired out there. But I feel good.” The Sixers want to keep it that way.

“If it’s a true push for May and June, then sitting one leg of the back-to-back is smart.”

Form check: Embiid’s January surge, George’s two-way steadiness

On the floor, Embiid has looked sharper as the calendar turned. For the season, he’s played 22 games, averaging 24.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field and 25.3% from three. In January, those numbers have jumped: 26.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across eight games on 53.2% shooting. He’s missed only one game this month.

George’s counting numbers are modest by his high standards, but his impact end to end is clear. In January, he’s posting 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. For the season, he’s around 16 points with 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists, shooting above 41% from the field and near 38% from deep. His spacing and defense have been key, even when the shot totals dip.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is available, wearing a left knee brace. He has played in every game since returning on January 7 after a two-month absence, giving the Sixers a much-needed athletic wing who can defend and run in transition.

Rookie guard Jared McCain continues to get steady minutes, learning on the job. Across 30 games, he’s averaging 6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 35.4% from the field and 32.3% from three. If George sits, McCain’s spacing and secondary touches become more important.

“If Embiid can’t go, can the offense keep its flow, or does it become all threes and fast breaks?”

What it means for the 76ers’ game plan vs. Pacers

If Embiid plays, even on a minutes limit, the Sixers can lean on their half-court sets and punish mismatches inside. If he sits, expect more drive-and-kick and a faster tempo, with Oubre’s cutting and George’s shooting (if he’s available) helping keep the floor spaced. Without George, the Sixers will likely spread touches among the wings and ask for more catch-and-shoot confidence from McCain and the bench.

This is also where defense matters most. With both stars, the Sixers can switch and protect the rim. Without one or both, it becomes more about team rebounding and keeping the ball in front, especially against lineups that play small and quick.

Pacers’ injury picture: points off the board

Indiana arrives significantly depleted. Tyrese Haliburton is out with an Achilles issue. Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) and Obi Toppin (foot) are out as well. That removes a big chunk of shot creation and athletic finishing for the Pacers. It also shifts more responsibility to their role players and bench to generate offense by committee.

The betting market still leans Philadelphia by 7.5 points, a nod to the Sixers’ depth and home floor — but that line assumes at least some level of availability or balance. If both Embiid and George sit, that margin could tighten by tip.

“Pacers are missing stars too — this is where a smart team should take care of business.”

Timeline: What to watch before tip-off

Both Embiid and George missed shootaround Monday morning. That’s consistent with the team’s careful plan on back-to-backs. The final call will come after they test their knees in pregame. As the report notes, “The designation means he is not fully cleared to play by team doctors and that his status will likely only be decided shortly before tip-off.”

Expect the Sixers to signal their direction as lineups lock. If either star is active, watch for a measured minutes load, especially if Tuesday’s game against the Suns remains in focus.

Big picture: Health now for a longer run later

Philadelphia’s approach has been consistent: manage knees, manage minutes, and avoid stacking risk. Embiid has missed only one game since the New Year and has looked stronger in January. George’s two-way steadiness fits the system and helps the team keep its shape even on nights when the offense leans elsewhere.

MLK Day is a showcase. It’s also a checkpoint in a long season. Whether Embiid and George suit up or not, the message is the same: stay healthy, bank winnable games, and be ready when the schedule tightens. If the Sixers navigate this back-to-back smartly, they can get both a result now and a healthier roster for what’s next.

Either way, Monday night’s decision will reveal how the Sixers want to play the long game.