PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The 76ers have a new rallying cry for Joel Embiid this season: Trust the plan.
Embiid’s absence from the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener against Milwaukee is simply part of the team’s plan to keep the two-time NBA scoring champion on track for a healthy season — and maybe, for the first time in his career, the playoffs.
Embiid was ruled out against Milwaukee as part of what the Sixers call left knee management. Now, the 7-footer seems poised to sit out road games Friday at Toronto and Sunday at Indiana, a decision that opened Embiid and the team to criticism.
Paul George was scratched from his debut with the Sixers. The five-time All-NBA selection left the Clippers and signed a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agent this summer. But, the 34-year-old George sustained a bone bruise when he hyperextended his left knee in the preseason. George will be reevaluated later in the week.
Much like last season when they posted a losing record without Embiid, the 76ers struggled, losing to the Bucks 124-109 on Wednesday night.
All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey shot 10 of 31 from the floor and scored 25 points, and the Sixers trailed by as many as 22. The Sixers essentially used a preseason lineup, with Maxey, Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr., KJ Martin and Eric Gordon.
“We played one game. I’m not about to sit here and say that just because Jo was out, we played bad,” Maxey said. “Yes, we did not win the game, which is the goal. But we’ve been without Jo all preseason, all training camp, for the most part. He’s ramping up. … Us winning, it can’t be solely on Joel Embiid. It just can’t.”
The oft-injured Embiid has been blasted by former players, media and unhappy fans on social media for sitting out opening night — after not playing in the preseason due to a sore left knee.
The Sixers said Embiid was “responding well” to his individualized rehab plan and was scheduled to scrimmage this week. He will be reevaluated this weekend.
Embiid was limited to 39 games last season, mostly because of knee surgery after tearing the meniscus in his left knee on Jan. 30 against Golden State. He returned for the playoffs and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy during a first-round loss to the Knicks.
He won an Olympic gold medal this summer with Team USA.
Coach Nick Nurse said before the opener that Embiid did not suffer an additional injury to his left knee.
