76ers’ Joel Embiid misses 3rd straight game with foot sprains

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid missed his third straight game Friday night, a 123-115 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, due to a sprained left foot.

He has sat out 23 times this season.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse said before the game that while the All-Star remains bothered by the foot injury, the team does not believe it is a long-term concern.

“It’s definitely gotten worse,” said the nurse. “That’s why he’s not playing. Again, he’s day-to-day. He trained yesterday. Hoping maybe he’d be able to go today. Not quite ready. Hope he can go to that next.”

The 76ers play Sunday in Orlando.

Embiid has only played in 13 games this season. The Sixers are 7-6 with Embiid and 8-15 without him — add that to a 15-21 record for teams that boast All-Stars Paul George and Tyrese Maxey but are out of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“We’re definitely better off with Joel out there, that’s a fact,” George said. “We’re better with the big guy back in the lineup with us.”

George has been spotty in the first season of his four-year, $212 million contract. He has struggled with injuries and his shot in his first season in Philly and hasn’t quite found the consistent groove expected of the nine-time All-Star. Against New Orleans, George had a bucket and three fouls at 8:13 of the second quarter. In the second half, George hit five 3s and scored 23 of his 25 points.

Maxey scored 30 points in 40 minutes and continues to log heavy minutes trying to carry the scoring load in Embiid’s absence.

“It just seemed to me like we didn’t have the pop energy-wise that we needed the whole game,” Nurse said.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP, Embiid is averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season — below his career averages. He’s also missed games with left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room.

Nurse said Embiid’s knee has been “pretty good” and the main problem is with the foot.

Embiid’s absence put a damper on a game that was also missing Pelicans big man Zion Williamson due to a suspension for violating team policies.

And the 76ers played without Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain) and KJ Martin (left foot).

The Sixers ruled rookie Jared McCain out for the rest of the season Thursday after left knee surgery last month on a torn meniscus.

The 20-year-old McCain spent one season at Duke before the Sixers selected him in the 2024 first round. McCain – the 16th pick – was off to a great start, averaging 15.3 points in 23 games. He started eight games and was an instant fan favorite in large part to amass nearly 5 million followers as a TikTok sensation.

“He was not only a good choice by our organization, he really impacted the team in a positive way,” Nurse said. “I think any rookie picked in that area that comes in and frolics at the top of all the rookies is a credit to the player and the organization as well.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.