Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is dealing with swelling in his left knee and will miss a second straight game on Sunday, the team said.
The Sixers released a statement on the condition of the 2023 NBA MVP during halftime of Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets, saying the decision to sideline Embiid was made jointly with the team’s medical staff was taken. Embiid was ruled out before Friday’s game against the Nets for what the team described as left knee maintenance. The Sixers play the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
“Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee,” the team statement said. “In consultation with the team’s medical staff, Embiid missed tonight’s game and will also miss Sunday’s game. He is receiving treatment and further updates on his status will be provided early next week.”
Playing in Memphis on Wednesday night, Embiid scored a season-high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 117-111 loss that dropped the Sixers to 2-12. Against the Grizzlies, Embiid appeared to be limping and hobbling with a knee injury at times, but stayed in the game as Philadelphia fought back into contention in the fourth quarter.
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Embiid joined in Paul George Friday evening on the sidelines. George suffered a left knee contusion during Wednesday’s match and will be out until next week at the earliest. The third part of the Sixers’ projected ‘Big Three’: guard Tyrese Maxey – returned against Memphis after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Embiid, Maxey and George have only played together in one game this season.
Embiid missed Philadelphia’s first 10 games due to knee management and a three-game suspension and has been sidelined for 11 of 15 games this season.
The 30-year-old Embiid was limited to 39 games last season, mainly due to knee surgery after tearing the meniscus in his left knee against Golden State on Jan. 30.
Embiid, who helped the U.S. win gold at the Paris Olympics, signed a $193 million contract ahead of training camp and skipped the entire preseason.
