Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report (January 10): Are Joel Embiid and Robert Covington available?

The Philadelphia 76ers will look get back on the winning track against the Atlanta Hawks after consecutive losses to the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz. The Sixers played without Joel Embiid in their last game, but is he available on Wednesday night? Let's look at the 76ers' injury report.

There are two players listed as out and one as questionable. Joel Embiid remains out due to left knee swelling, while Robert Covington is dealing with the same injury. De'Anthony Melton is questionable with a lumbar spine soreness.

Embiid will miss his second straight game because of a swollen knee. He missed four games with a sprained ankle at the end of December. It's an important stretch for the Sixers, given that the Milwaukee Bucks have overtaken them in the Eastern Conference.

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Joel Embiid has been relatively healthy for the Philadelphia 76ers and is playing better than his MVP campaign last season. He' one of the favorites to win the award this season, along with Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Embiid is averaging 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. He has a huge chance to win back-to-back MVP awards, but he will need to stay healthy.

The NBA imposed a new rule on awards with players required to appear in at least 65 games to qualify. He has missed eight games this season and will miss his ninth on Wednesday.

The Sixers and Embiid will have to decide whether it's more important for him to stay healthy for an NBA Finals run or healthy to win an individual award.

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Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks game preview

The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night for the third time this season. The Sixers have won the first two games against the Hawks, winning 126-116 in Atlanta on Nov. 17 and 125-114 at home on Dec. 8.

It was the fifth straight win for the Sixers against the Hawks and the eighth in the last 10 games. The Sixers are ahead 203-193 in the all-time head-to-head matchup since Nov. 17, 1949.

The Sixers have a tough task in hand with Joel Embiid out due to injury. They are just 2-6 this season without the reigning MVP. Tyrese Maxey will have to carry the load, along with players like Kelly Oubre Jr., Marcus Morris Sr. and Nicolas Batum.

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