Ben Simmons to be re-evaluated in two weeks after Monday’s surgery; Joel Embiid, Josh Richardson to miss Suns game

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The 76ers could be a shell of themselves Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

Joel Embiid will be sidelined with a twisted left ankle. Josh Richardson will miss the game for rest. Tobias Harris (right ankle soreness) and Al Horford (left knee soreness) are questionable.

Ben Simmons, who was already sidelined, had surgery Monday morning to remove the loose body in his left knee. Chris Dodson of the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute performed the surgery. The loose piece was found after he suffered a temporary partial dislocation of his left kneecap Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.

The Sixers said Simmons would begin rehabilitation immediately in Philadelphia and will be reevaluated in about two weeks. ESPN reported that the two-time All-Star is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The Sixers have not ruled out Simmons’ return this season, but they would have to make a deep postseason run for that to happen. That’s why the team has been preparing for the playoffs as if the 6-foot-10, 248-pounder won’t be available.

To have surgery and then come back and play in the bubble, where games are scheduled about every other day, would be risky. Simmons would have to quarantine before being available to play this season because of the pandemic. It’s best for Simmons to use this time to prepare for next season’s training camp in November.

“That’s tough. I’m not sure,” Mike Scott said when asked if he expected Simmons to return this season. “I’d rather him take his time and be healthy first than try to rush it back.”

Scott didn’t realize Simmons’ injury was serious when he exited the game in the third quarter Wednesday.

Embiid turned his ankle while stepping awkwardly on the basket stanchion after trying to block a shot in the first quarter of the loss Sunday to the Portland Trail Blazers. He later grabbed the ankle during a timeout with 6 minutes, 18 seconds left in the quarter.

The ankle was checked out on the bench. He then tried to stretch it out. After the timeout, he headed for the locker room and remained there until the second half. He did not return to play.

It’s no surprise that he will miss Tuesday’s game, as coach Brett Brown said the team must weigh building cohesion against avoiding injuries in the final three seeding games. The Sixers will play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday and Houston Rockets on Friday. The playoffs begin Aug. 17.

Brown expects to see Embiid play in one of the remaining seeding games.

“That’s just one man’s opinion,” Brown said.

Asked if Embiid would play Wednesday, Brown said he didn’t know.

Monday’s practice consisted of film study and individual shooting. Richardson and Harris participated in the shooting drills. Horford did not participate in the drills, and Embiid received treatment.

The Sixers are sixth in the Eastern Conference. They will face the Boston Celtics in the opening round if they remain in the sixth spot.

The Suns (32-29) have been the hottest team at the NBA restart, going undefeated through six games. They’re a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for ninth place in the Western Conference.