76ers vs Trail Blazers Recap: Embiid and Lillard Sidelined in Portland

trail blazers vs 76ers

PORTLAND, 10 February 2026 – The Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers met on Monday night at the Moda Centre to conclude their respective schedules for the early part of February. The matchup was heavily impacted by a depleted roster on both sides, with several marquee stars ruled out shortly before tip-off.

Matchup Overview and Recent Form

Entering the contest, the Philadelphia 76ers held a 29-22 record, positioned firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Despite a strong season from Joel Embiid, the team has had to navigate the recent 25-game suspension of star forward Paul George. The Trail Blazers, currently 23-28, returned home to finish a five-game homestand looking to improve their standing in a competitive Western Conference.

Injury Report: Key Absences

The “Monday Night” clash was defined by the players who were unavailable. Philadelphia was forced to play without their primary engine, Joel Embiid, who was ruled out for injury management regarding his right knee. Portland faced similar struggles, missing several core rotation players.

TeamPlayerStatusReason
Philadelphia 76ersJoel EmbiidOutRight knee injury management
Philadelphia 76ersPaul GeorgeOutLeague suspension
Philadelphia 76ersQuentin GrimesOutNot specified
Portland Trail BlazersShaedon SharpeOutLeft calf soreness
Portland Trail BlazersDamian LillardOutNot specified
Portland Trail BlazersMatisse ThybulleOutRight knee tendinopathy
Portland Trail BlazersKris MurrayOutLumbar strain

Head-to-Head History

The rivalry between these two franchises remains one of the most balanced in the NBA. Historically, the 76ers hold a slight edge in the regular-season series. Prior to the 9 February 2026 meeting, the all-time regular-season record stood at 64 wins for Philadelphia and 61 for Portland.

Recent encounters have favoured the 76ers, who secured a dominant 125-103 victory in December 2024 and a 119-102 win in March 2025. However, Portland has historically been tough to beat at the Moda Centre, often relying on their home-court advantage to level the series.

Game Context

The 76ers entered this game looking to finish their five-game West Coast road trip on a high note. With Tyrese Maxey leading the backcourt in Embiid’s absence, the 76ers have relied on a “next man up” philosophy. For the Trail Blazers, the return of Scoot Henderson to the lineup provided a much-needed spark, though the absence of Deni Avdija for a fifth consecutive game (back strain) hampered their defensive versatility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Paul George not playing for the 76ers?

Paul George is currently serving a 25-game NBA suspension following a violation of the league’s Anti-Drug programme, which was announced in early February 2026.

What is the all-time record between the 76ers and Trail Blazers?

Including all regular-season games, the Philadelphia 76ers lead the series 64-61. When including playoff history, the total number of games played between the two franchises is 131.

Who are the key players for Portland with Lillard out?

In the absence of veteran leadership, Portland has leaned heavily on young talents like Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija (when healthy), alongside the interior presence of Robert Williams III.