PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, will be absent from Friday night’s NBA Cup matchup against the Brooklyn Nets due to maintenance for a left knee injury, as stated by the team.

Embiid showcased an impressive performance on Wednesday evening in Memphis, where he scored a season-high 35 points and nabbed 11 rebounds, despite the team suffering a 117-111 defeat, which brought their record to 2-12. There were moments during the game where Embiid appeared to be limping, indicating discomfort from his knee injury. However, he continued to play as the Sixers attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter.

Adding to the 76ers’ challenges, Paul George will also be missing from the action on Friday night. George sustained a left knee bone bruise in his game on Wednesday and is expected to be out of play until at least next week. This lineup shakeup further complicates the situation for the 76ers, as their anticipated “Big Three” hasn’t been on the court together frequently. Tyrese Maxey, the third member of that trio, made his return against Memphis after being sidelined for two weeks due to a hamstring issue. So far this season, Embiid, Maxey, and George have shared the court for only one game together.

Embiid, honored as the NBA MVP in 2023, had previously missed the Sixers’ first ten games due to knee management issues and a suspension that lasted three games, which means he has now been out for 11 of the 15 games played this season. The team’s struggle with injuries has significantly impacted their performance on the court.