76ers’ Joel Embiid reportedly avoids major knee injury after latest absence; Paul George preparing for debut

Joel Embiid appears to have avoided a major injury in his right knee.

The Philadelphia 76ers star missed the team’s 102-100 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night due to right knee soreness. Embiidâ€s knee was re-evaluated on Tuesday night, but no structural issues were found, according to ESPNâ€s Shams Charania.

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While a specific timeline for his return is not known, he is now considered day-to-day. It doesnâ€t appear that anything happened specifically to cause the injury, either.

“He just reported a little soreness in his right knee,†76ers head coach Nick Nurse said before the game, via ESPN. “He’s had some imaging on that this afternoon, and the doctors are here tonight to go over that with him.”

Embiid played just 19 games last season due to lingering issues with his left knee, and he underwent knee surgery in April. Heâ€s played in just six games so far this season while the team takes a cautious approach with him, and every absence heâ€s had before Tuesday night was scheduled. According to ESPN, heâ€ll continue to sit out parts of back-to-back games throughout the season like heâ€s done so far already.

Embiid has averaged 19.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He was fined $50,000 by the league last month after he made a “lewd gesture†during a loss to the Celtics.

The 76ers will be back in action Friday night against the Detroit Pistons. Itâ€s unclear if Embiid will be available.

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Paul George nearing return

76ers star Paul George is apparently almost ready to make his season debut.

George underwent knee surgery this past offseason and has been recovering ever since. He is in the “final stage†of recovery, Charania reported Tuesday night, and is getting closer to making his return. Doctors, though, are looking for additional strength in his left quadriceps to support his knee before fully clearing him.

George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, his first with the franchise after spending five years with the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Though itâ€s still unclear when heâ€ll be ready to actually play for Philadelphia this season, it sounds like heâ€s getting close.

Justin Edwards led the 76ers with 22 points off the bench after he shot 8-of-9 from the field in Tuesday night’s win at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Tyrese Maxey finished with 21 points and nine assists, and Andre Drummond added 14 points and 13 rebounds. The win pushed the 76ers to 7-4 on the year.

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