After sitting out the Sixers’ final two games before the All-Star break because of right knee soreness, center Joel Embiid will also miss Thursday’s matchup against Atlanta, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
Philadelphia’s injury report continues to list “right knee injury management,” and the team added that Embiid also dealt with right shin soreness during the All-Star break.
The big man is scheduled to be reevaluated before the Sixers begin a back-to-back set in New Orleans and Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, meaning his absence may not last long.
Still, as Tony Jones of The Athletic notes, another missed game following a stretch in which Embiid played 18 of the team’s previous 22 contests highlights the ongoing health concerns surrounding Philadelphia as the second half of the season begins.
Head coach Nick Nurse expressed cautious optimism after Embiid participated in Wednesday’s practice.
“He was out there and he looked pretty good,” Nurse said before the 76ers ruled Embiid out for Thursday’s game.
“He’s got a meeting shortly with the doctors, and I think we’ll know a little bit more about where he is. But, he was out there a little bit today, and he looked pretty good.”
Atlantic Notes: Embiid, Walker, Shamet, Knicks, Raptors https://t.co/r8tqK9BU61 pic.twitter.com/mbuBC4pY69
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 19, 2026
