Joel Embiid injured against Indiana, leaving the Sixers shorthanded in the paint

The Philadelphia 76ers will have a significant problem in their interior game for the match this Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. The Pennsylvania franchise has confirmed that Joel Embiid will be out due to management of his plantar fascia issues in his right foot, an absence that complicates Nick Nurse's plans even further.

The Cameroonian center will not be the only interior player missing the game. Adem Bona, who is suffering from a cervical spine sprain, and Dominick Barlow, who has back problems, will also be unavailable. In the case of the latter, he has not yet been able to debut this season, although the Sixers' coach assured on Saturday that he is "progressing." For now, however, there is no scheduled date for his return.

The accumulation of absences leaves Philadelphia practically without natural players to fill the center position. In fact, Tacko Fall, a player with a dual contract, is the only available center on the roster for the game against Indiana.

LeBron James, the main alternative to play center

In this scenario, Nick Nurse will have to seek alternative solutions to cover the minutes in the paint. LeBron James, Jabari Walker, and Dean Wade are some of the options to take on responsibilities in the five position, in a situation that will force the Sixers to modify their usual structure.

The good news for Philadelphia is that LeBron James is not on the injury report. The forward missed the game on Thursday against the Toronto Raptors due to sciatic problems and management of discomfort in the lower back, but he is not listed among the players ruled out for this Sunday.

James' availability is a significant relief for Nurse, especially considering the limitations in interior personnel. The veteran player had to play as starting center in one of the games that Embiid missed this season.

The Sixers also facing scheduling issues

Philadelphia has a record of one win and one loss in the two games they have played this season without Joel Embiid. In the first, LeBron James played as the starting center in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. In the second, Adem Bona took on that responsibility in the win against the Charlotte Hornets.

The game against Indiana also has an added difficulty due to the schedule. It will be the first of two consecutive games for the Sixers, who will visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

An important detail is that neither Embiid nor LeBron James have played both games of a back-to-back this season. Therefore, the physical management of both stars will continue to be a factor to consider in Philadelphia's upcoming commitments.

With Embiid out against Indiana and several interior alternatives also unavailable, the Sixers are facing a tough test to maintain their competitiveness without one of their most decisive players.