Sixers center Joel Embiid will miss two games because of left knee swelling

Joel Embiid was ruled out of Friday night’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center because of swelling in his left knee. The 76ers center will also be sidelined in Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team said further updates will be provided next week.

Embiid, who has been placed on an injury management plan this season, wasn’t on the court during his scheduled pregame workout. He did attend morning shootaround, but did not participate in it. At the time, Embiid was listed as questionable for the contest against the Nets.

The seven-time All-Star played in just 39 regular-season games during the 2023-24 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

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Embiid missed the entire preseason and first six games of this regular season before serving a three-game league suspension. He made his season debut against the New York Knicks on Nov. 12 only to miss the following night’s game.

He is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in four games. The 30-year-old is coming off his best performance, finishing with season highs of 35 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Sixers (2-11, 0-2) are already without Paul George (left knee bone bruise) and Kyle Lowry (strained right hip). Two-way players Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Justin Edwards are assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats.

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The Nets (6-9, 1-1) were without Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery) and Day’Ron Sharpe (left hamstring strain)..

The Sixers are looking to snap a five-game losing streak. They are ranked fourth in the NBA Cup East Group A standings, one spot behind the Nets. They also sit in last in the Eastern Conference standings.