Embiid and George both out for second leg of back-to-back against undefeated Cavs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers will have no All-Stars available for the second leg of a back-to-back Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center against the Cavs.
Joel Embiid and Paul George have both been ruled out with a “left knee injury management” designation. Tyrese Maxey is out with a right hamstring strain.
Embiid made his season debut on Tuesdayposting 13 points and five assists over 26 minutes in a loss to the Knicks. He said after the game that he would “push” to play against Cleveland but would ultimately trust and defer to the Sixers’ medical staff.
“I want to,” Embiid said. “That’s up to them. I know (before the season) I said I would never play back to backbut i’m a troll So I’m sure one day I’ll play. But I feel good. I feel good now…we’ll see, but it’s up to them.”
Embiid, who came off meniscus surgery in February, was sidelined for the start of this season and “managing” his knee. He then served a three-game suspension for pushing Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes into the locker room.
Both Embiid and George are expected to be in action Friday night when the Sixers visit the Magic.
“I felt good (physically),” Embiid said. “It’s all about confidence and trusting myself. … I expected it. I talked about it a few weeks ago to you. That’s the mental part I need to get to. But I think I can still be pretty good even without what I’m about to achieve someday. I don’t know when. It could be next game, it could be two games. I usually get it back pretty quickly, so I’m fine.”
George has played five games since returning from a left knee bone bruise he suffered during the preseason. Tuesday’s performance was his best yet with the Sixers – 29 points (7 for 11 from three-point range), 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals.
The Sixers haven’t completely removed the minutes restriction on George. His minutes high so far is 33.
“It’s been a steady progression,” he told reporters after the game about his conditioning. “I feel like it’s getting better and better. I feel like I’m still trying to work it out a bit, but I’m going longer shifts to be able to run without getting tired as quickly.
“So I’m just trying to challenge myself, running and being as active as possible on both sides, just so I can build on that and be where I want to be in the middle of the season. It’s an ongoing process, but I’m making progress in that aspect.”
After facing 12-0 Cleveland, the 2-8 Sixers have 14 back-to-backs left. Their next one comes Dec. 3 against the Hornets and Dec. 4 against the Magic.
