Pacers vs. 76ers: Top Scorers Missing as Embiid Sidelined

Injuries leave both teams shorthanded ahead of Friday night NBA matchup

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:10pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game in a fractured, geometric style, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the players and action on the court.The absence of key players on both teams creates a complex, shifting landscape for this NBA matchup.Philadelphia Today

The Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off on Friday night, but both teams will be missing key players due to injuries. The Pacers are without their top three scorers, including All-Star forward Pascal Siakam and point guard Andrew Nembhard, while the 76ers will be without superstar center Joel Embiid, who underwent an appendectomy on Thursday.

Why it matters

The absence of so many top players will significantly impact the gameplay and outcome of this matchup, highlighting the importance of roster depth and adaptability in the NBA. The Pacers, with the second-worst record in the league, are facing an uphill battle, while the 76ers must find a way to win without their MVP-caliber center.

The details

The Pacers' injury woes include the loss of their top three scorers - Siakam, Nembhard, and an unnamed third player. This leaves the team severely undermanned on the offensive end. Meanwhile, the 76ers will be without Embiid, who was averaging 26.9 points per game this season. His absence is a major blow to the 76ers' playoff positioning.

  • The Pacers' key players have been out for several games leading up to this matchup.
  • Embiid underwent an appendectomy on Thursday, ruling him out indefinitely.

The players

Pascal Siakam

An All-Star forward and the Pacers' leading scorer.

Andrew Nembhard

The Pacers' starting point guard, who contributes significantly to the team's scoring and assists.

Joel Embiid

A seven-time All-Star and the 2022-23 NBA MVP, who leads the 76ers in scoring.

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What they’re saying

“Injuries are always tough, but we have to find a way to adapt and overcome. Our guys are going to have to step up and fill those roles.”

— Rick Carlisle, Head Coach, Indiana Pacers

“Losing Joel is a big blow, but we have a deep team and we're confident we can still compete at a high level.”

— Doc Rivers, Head Coach, Philadelphia 76ers

What’s next

The Pacers and 76ers will face off on Friday, April 12, 2026. The outcome of this game will have implications for both teams' playoff positioning and their ability to adapt to key player absences.

The takeaway

This matchup between the injury-riddled Pacers and the 76ers without their superstar Embiid highlights the importance of roster depth and adaptability in the NBA. Teams must be prepared to overcome unexpected challenges, whether it's injuries to key players or the absence of a franchise cornerstone. The ability to adjust and find ways to win despite these setbacks can make or break a team's season.