Sixers center Joel Embiid a late scratch from game against Bucks

The big man was pulled out with right shoulder soreness. He appeared to hurt his shoulder Thursday in Milwaukee.

Joel Embiid trying to shoot in Thursday's loss as Milwaukee's Brook Lopez defends him.Read moreAaron Gash / AP

Published April 24, 2021, 3:56 p.m. ET

MILWAUKEE — Joel Embiid missed Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.

The 76ers All-Star center was a late scratch with right shoulder soreness. He had been listed as a starter 30 minutes before the game but was ruled out after the lineups were submitted. Teams can change starters up until tip-off.

Embiid appeared to injure his shoulder in the third quarter of Thursday’s 124-117 loss to the Bucks in the Cream City.

He’s averaging a career-high 30 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.4 blocks in 41 games this season.

This Sixers were also without Ben Simmons, Paul Reed, and Furkan Korkmaz.

This was the fourth game Simmons missed with an illness. Coach Doc Rivers said he believes Simmons has the flu. Meanwhile, Reed is in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Korkmaz missed his second consecutive game with a sprained right ankle.