Overview
- Philadelphia initially listed Embiid out for what would have been a 10th straight missed game before upgrading him to questionable hours before tip-off.
- Embiid’s current absence stems from right-knee soreness management following April arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, with no firm return timetable disclosed.
- Rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf) and Andre Drummond (right knee contusion) are questionable; Drummond’s MRI showed no structural damage, while Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain out.
- Paul George is available under minutes management as Philadelphia sits 10-8, relying heavily on Tyrese Maxey’s MVP-caliber production to keep the offense afloat.
- Scouts and executives told ESPN the Sixers’ defense suffers without Embiid and argued the team may need to deploy him more strategically rather than building the offense around him.