Embiid, Scott to miss next 2 games with knee injuries

All-Star center Joel Embiid will not suit up for the Sixers in their back-to-back road games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder. He is expected to remain in Philadelphia to receive treatment on what the team is calling right knee pain. Per a league source, the Sixers are just being cautious with their best player, and the injury is not expected to be serious.

Forward Mike Scott will also stay in Philadelphia for treatment for right knee swelling. He played in all three games this week, but in Thursday night's win over the Heat, he only played five minutes in the first half before returning to the locker room. Scott missed the previous five games with a left knee contusion.

The Sixers are also still without guards Seth Curry (COVID-19 protocol) and Furkan Korkmaz (adductor strain).

Embiid began experiencing pain during Thursday's game. He clearly was not himself in that contest, collecting only 9 points and 5 rebounds in under 24 minutes of action.

Injuries have unfortunately plagued the 7', 280" big man throughout his career. He missed his first two seasons due multiple surgeries on his right foot following a broken navicular bone. As a rookie, he only suited up for 31 games, missing many due to maintenance before a torn left meniscus ended his year. In the three seasons since, he has missed many games for back, knee, and ankle injuries.

Through his first six full seasons, Embiid was sidelined for 274 of a possible 483 regular season games.

When available, Embiid is a dominating two-way force. Despite all of the missed time, he has played in each of the last 3 All-Star games, and he has been nominated to two All-NBA and All-Defensive teams each. His career average of 24.0 points per game is third all-time among Sixers, and he also ranks in their top ten in per-game averages for rebounds (11.5) and blocks (1.8).

It's been more of the same this season. Embiid has been receiving early MVP buzz. His 25.0 points per game are the second highest of his career, and his shooting splits (53.6/39.4/84.5) are career highs across the board.