By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor
If Joel Embiid was sick during the Sixers' 130-111 beating of the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, you really couldn't tell.
The big man was experiencing cold symptoms all day and was listed as probable at the start of the game.
But he played anyway, despite feeling under the weather and still managed to provide significant minutes in the starting lineups in Ben Simmons' absence.
Embiid playing, even with an illness, just shows how invested he is in playing for the Sixers and helping this team win basketball games. He loves playing this game, and he loves playing for the City of Brotherly Love. He just couldn't imagine missing Saturday night's game, let alone any game.
Embiid on playing while feeling sick: "I don’t ever want to take any days off."
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) November 26, 2017
Playing with an illness can sometimes be detrimental to a player and it could negatively affect an entire team. However, the great players in this league learn how to cope with injury, especially when dealing with an illness.
Embiid's performance was yet another example of his will and determination to succeed even in the midst of adversity.
"I can’t really breathe. Headaches are pretty bad. This morning my head was burning, couldn’t really get up. But it don’t matter." – Embiid on feeling sick (cold) Saturday before the game (18 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 28:32)
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) November 26, 2017
Embiid finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. At times, he just looked gassed, but he was able to get himself right back into game shape.
Being able to contribute and play with an illness can be a tough task, but the Sixers star center is one of the best in the business and he showed that once again tonight.