The Philadelphia 76ers will take the court against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night without Paul George and Joel Embiid.
George delivered an outstanding performance on Tuesday in a 110-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets, marking the team’s second consecutive victory following a tough 3-14 season start.
He tied his season high with 29 points, shooting an efficient 10-for-16, while adding eight assists in a season-high 37 minutes.
The 34-year-old has faced multiple setbacks this season due to a hyperextended left knee.
He initially suffered the injury during a pre-season game against the Atlanta Hawks in October, sidelining him for the first two weeks of the regular season.
After returning, he reinjured the same knee in November against the Memphis Grizzlies, causing him to miss three more games.
Paul George is out tonight against Orlando, sources told ESPN, after playing a season-high 37 minutes Tuesday in Charlotte.
Joel Embiid, who’s been out for personal reasons & left knee injury management, is getting back on the court & starting his ramp-up process. He remains out
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 4, 2024
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid has also been absent since the November 20 game against Memphis.
Initially sidelined due to left knee injury management, his absence has been extended due to personal reasons.
However, sources indicate that the reigning NBA MVP has begun ramping up for his return to play.
Embiid, 30, has dealt with lingering issues in his left knee, the same knee that required surgery in February and hindered his performance during Philadelphia’s first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks last season.
This season, Embiid has appeared in only four games, averaging 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds.
The 76ers will play back-to-back home games against the Magic on Wednesday and Friday before travelling to face the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
After that, their schedule eases with just two games over the following 11 days – home against the Indiana Pacers on December 13 and away at the Charlotte Hornets on December 16 as the NBA’s in-season tournament knockout rounds unfold.
