PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid landing on an early injury report has been a 76ers game-day tradition through three coaching eras.
Joel Embiid being a relatively late entry onto an injury report, and with something of a new discomfort, had Nick Nurse at least a touch concerned Monday.
Several times cited with minor knee or hip soreness this season — then typically finding a magic cure minutes before the presentation of the starting lineups — Embiid tweaked his left hamstring during a morning shootaround Monday and was listed as questionable for a game against the Chicago Bulls, raising the potential crisis level.
“They are going to check it and see where it is,” Nurse said. “I think it’s always concerning when we’re talking about some tightness of the hamstring or something like that. We are going to see how it goes.”
For the Sixers, it went just OK, as Embiid collected 40 points and 14 rebounds, though in a 108-104 defeat.
Embiid did not look to be favoring his hamstring during his 37 minutes, but the Sixers are scheduled to play again Wednesday against the difficult Minnesota Timberwolves and Friday against Toronto.
Embiid has provided at least 30 points and 11 rebounds in 11 consecutive games.
Through 21 games, Embiid had career-high averages of 34.2 points, 10.3 free throws attempted , 89 percent foul-shooting efficiency, 3.0 offensive rebounds , 6.0 assists and a plus-minus of 11.
• • •
The Bulls played their ninth consecutive game without Zach LaVine, who is heavily involved in trade rumors, including a sprinkling involving the Sixers.
The two-time All-Star, who is on a $215 million contract, has been recovering from inflammation in his right foot. Originally feared to be unavailable into January, LaVine has been making progress.
“He is doing some shooting and he is doing some straight-ahead jogging,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He’s been good. The issue for him has been cutting. He has not done any cutting yet. I think they want to give him to to kind of build up to that.”
• • •
Notes: Nic Batum started and played 26:49 before leaving early with right hamstring tightness. “It’s sore,” Nurse reported. “It’s sore. I don’t think they think it is too major, but they obviously want to take a look more seriously at it tomorrow.” … Tyrese Maxey saved 15 of his 29 points for the fourth quarter. “He gave us a chance to get it at the end,” Nurse said, “even though I think we were outplayed for most of the game.” … Marcus Morris was scratched with an illness.
