The Philadelphia 76ers pulled out a 99-98 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night thanks to another epic performance from star guard Tyrese Maxey and a game-winning putback by stud rookie V.J. Edgecombe.
The Sixers also got some production from star center Joel Embiid, who played 25 minutes in the game and totaled 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
If you’ve been following along with the Sixers this season, then you know what the fact that Embiid played on Thursday night means for his availability on Friday night.
Joel Embiid won't play vs. Bucks due to left knee injury recovery
Embiid has been officially ruled out for Philadelphia’s matchup with the Bucks in Milwaukee due to left knee injury recovery. Embiid hasn’t been playing in both legs of back-to-backs all season, so this is no surprise. The big fella has appeared in just eight games so far this season and posted averages of 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per performance.
Not being able to be out on the court with his teammates consistently this season has taken a toll on Embiid, who recently lamented his lack of availability.
"The only thing I’ll say is, I do feel bad, but it's unfortunate," Embiid said. "You can only control what you can control. If anybody thinks that I don't want to play every game, that's their problem, but I think history has shown that I would do anything just to play one game of basketball.”
Just as the Sixers will be missing a former league MVP on Friday night, the Bucks will be too. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be sidelined for up to a month after suffering a calf strain in Milwaukee's last game.