Knicks vs. 76ers Monday NBA injury report, spread, odds: Joel Embiid positive for COVID, to miss multiple games

No team is dealing with a worse COVID issue right now than the Philadelphia 76ers as All-Star center and MVP candidate Joel Embiid on Monday joined second-leading scorer Tobias Harris and key reserve/occasional starter Matisse Thybulle in the protocols. All three are out for Monday's home game vs. the New York Knicks and Embiid is expected to miss several games because he reportedly tested positive. Of course, Philly remains without fellow All-Star Ben Simmons as he tries to force a trade. The Sixers were -4 for tonight but are now -1.

Philly was planning to sit Embiid on Monday regardless simply for rest in the front end of a back-to-back but then Shams Charania reported that Embiid entered the health and safety protocols and Adrian Wojnarowski reported the positive test.

In order to return to play, Embiid will need to either quarantine for 10 days or return two negative PCR tests 24 hours apart. The Sixers host the Bucks on Tuesday so at a minimum also count Embiid out of that one, too. Philly's other games this week are home vs. Toronto on Thursday and at Indiana on Saturday. Philly is 1-0 straight up without Embiid this year and was 10-11 without him last season. 

Embiid, who also has been dealing with a sore knee, has seen his numbers dip across the board so far this season, averaging 21.4 points on 43.5 percent shooting and 9.4 rebounds. Last year, he averaged 28.5 points on 51.3 percent shooting and 10.6 rebounds.

Guard Danny Green, who has missed the past three with a hamstring injury, could return tonight. If so, the Sixers are looking at a less-than-imposing starting five of Green, Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry, Paul Reed and Andre Drummond.

Could there be a resolution on the Simmons saga soon? Charania also reported that the Boston Celtics have talked trade with Philly, although the C's would have to give up Jaylen Brown to get Simmons – Jayson Tatum would be untouchable. Even with all these issues, the 76ers enter Monday with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 8-2.

The Knicks lost at home to Cleveland on Sunday, 126-109, playing without starting point guard Kemba Walker due to an undisclosed injury and it's not clear if he will play tonight. Walker is averaging 12.7 points. New York is 1-0 vs. Philadelphia this season, beating the Sixers 112-99 at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 26. Walker had 19 points. Harris had 23 for the Sixers and Embiid 14 points and six rebounds.

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