Injury-Hit Bucks and 76ers Seek to Halt Slides in Philadelphia Clash
PHILADELPHIA, 27 January 2026 – Two Eastern Conference teams battling poor form and significant injury concerns will face off tonight as the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Philadelphia 76ers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. With the Bucks missing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 76ers awaiting a late decision on Joel Embiid, both sides are desperate for a victory to stabilise their faltering campaigns.
Teams in Turmoil
The Milwaukee Bucks (18-26) enter the contest having lost five of their last six games, a slide that culminated in a 102-100 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on 23 January. The defeat was compounded by the loss of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to a calf strain, an injury expected to sideline him for at least four weeks. The Bucks are 3-11 this season without their franchise player.
Conversely, the Philadelphia 76ers (24-21) are reeling from one of their most humiliating defeats in recent memory. On Monday 26 January, a severely short-handed Sixers squad was blown out 130-93 by the Charlotte Hornets, trailing by as many as 50 points at one stage. The loss, which came with both Joel Embiid and Paul George resting, extended Philadelphia’s losing streak to two games.
Injury Report Clouds Key Matchup
The availability of the 76ers’ star duo remains the central pre-game narrative. Centre Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for Tuesday night due to left knee injury management. He was held out of Monday’s loss as part of the team’s ongoing protocol to manage his workload on back-to-back sets. Forward Paul George, who also missed the Charlotte game, is considered probable with similar knee management.
For the Bucks, the absence of Antetokounmpo is a definitive blow. The team also remains without Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) and Taurean Prince (neck). The extended break since their last game on 23 January provides the only silver lining for a Milwaukee squad searching for answers.
Historical Edge with Philadelphia
The 76ers have dominated the season series thus far, winning both prior matchups in Milwaukee. On 20 November 2025, Philadelphia secured a 123-114 overtime victory behind a career-high 54 points from guard Tyrese Maxey. They followed that with a 116-101 win on 5 December, powered by 22 points from Quentin Grimes. The Bucks will be aiming to avoid a series sweep in the third of four scheduled meetings.
Key Facts & Team Context
| Metric | Milwaukee Bucks | Philadelphia 76ers |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 18-26 (11th in East) | 24-21 (6th in East) |
| Current Streak | Lost 2 | Lost 2 |
| Last 10 Games | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Points Per Game | 111.9 | 116.1 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 115.5 | 115.8 |
| Key Absence | Giannis Antetokounmpo (Calf – Out) | Joel Embiid (Knee – Questionable) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Joel Embiid play against the Bucks?
As of the afternoon of 27 January, Joel Embiid is officially listed as questionable due to left knee injury management. The 76ers have not played him in both games of a back-to-back set all season, and he was rested in Monday’s loss to Charlotte. A final decision is expected closer to the 8:00 pm tip-off, but his availability is considered a true game-time decision.
What is at stake for both teams in this game?
For the 76ers, a victory is crucial to stop their losing streak and solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture (currently 6th). For the Bucks, mired in 11th place and 15 games behind the division-leading Detroit Pistons, every win is vital to keep their fading play-in tournament hopes alive, especially without their best player for the foreseeable future.