Sixers C Joel Embiid misses Friday's game with sore right knee

Sixers center Joel Embiid was ruled out for Friday’s game at Toronto, with the team announcing (via Twitter) that he wouldn’t be in the starting lineup.

According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link), Embiid had previously been listed as questionable due to “injury recovery — right knee.” Prior to tip off, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Embiid’s is experiencing knee soreness, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.

The MVP runner-up each of the past two seasons, Embiid hasn’t quite looked himself during the Sixers’ 1-4 start to the 2022/23 season. His numbers look great on paper — he’s averaging 27.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.4 BPG on .521/.278/.814 shooting in five games (35.0 MPG) — but he’s been unusually sluggish, especially on defense.

Rivers said Embiid dealt with plantar fasciitis over the summer that impacted his ability to train. While he says he’s no longer dealing with the foot issue, he’s still trying to get his conditioning back to normal.

It’s unclear how severe Embiid’s knee soreness is at this time. The five-time All-Star has a lengthy injury history, so hopefully it’s nothing serious.

The Sixers currently lead the Raptors 68-56 in the third quarter. Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is leading the way with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting, along with a game-high plus-18.