Not for the first time, Joel Embiid’s status was the most noteworthy item from an extended Sixers injury report Monday night.
The Sixers have upgraded Embiid to questionable ahead of their Tuesday matchup with the Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The star big man has played in only six of the team’s first 16 games. He’s sat out the last seven with an injury initially described as “right knee soreness.” Embiid’s current designation is “right knee injury management.”
He was a full participant at practice Monday, according to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.
“He’s good,” Nurse said. “He’s a little frustrated about it, but I think he was cognizant that he was feeling something there and he immediately wanted to get it figured it out. … He’s doing a lot of stuff to try to get back on the floor. His spirits are good.”
Although Nurse called VJ Edgecombe’s absence from the Sixers’ loss Sunday to the Heat with left calf tightness “precautionary,” the rookie guard will sit again vs. Orlando. Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Adem Bona (right ankle sprain) will both miss their fifth straight game.
The 9-7 Sixers also listed Tyrese Maxey as probable with a right shoulder sprain and Paul George as probable with a right ankle sprain.
Maxey picked up his shoulder injury early in the Miami game but stayed in the contest.
“It happened the second or third play of the game,” he said Monday. “I got a steal and it felt a little weird. Didn’t feel comfortable on it, but I’ll be fine. I’m great.”
The play in question appeared to happen a little over three minutes in. Maxey stepped in front of Bam Adebayo and stripped the ball away.
The 10-8 Magic’s Monday evening injury report was relatively brief. Paolo Banchero (left groin strain) and Mo Wagner (left knee injury recovery) are the two players sidelined for Orlando.