76ers' decision on Joel Embiid is 'precautionary'

Joel Embiid will miss Wednesday night’s game against the Knicks, the second game in a row that the Philadelphia 76ers big man is sitting due to right knee soreness, the team announced today, as reported by Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.

Marc Stein of the Stein Line adds that, according to the Sixers, Embiid will be reevaluated following All-Star weekend, which will give him a week to recuperate and hopefully get back to full strength.

Neubeck notes that the team doesn’t sound overly concerned about the knee at this point, a sentiment The Athletic’s Tony Jones echoes, calling the move a "precautionary" one.

“It’s bothering him enough that he’s not playing,” said coach Nick Nurse. “I think it is improving a little bit, it’s just not quite there to get out there tonight.”

After it was unclear how much Embiid would be able to play coming into the season, the former MVP has managed to put together a strong season for the 30-23 Sixers. He has averaged 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 31 games this season while playing 31.4 minutes per night, all of which are improvements from his output over 19 games last year.

In Monday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Andre Drummond assumed command of the starting spot in Embiid’s place, recording 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Adem Bona took the backup center minutes. Jones notes that Bona will start Wednesday night against the Knicks.