Joel Embiid’s first absence of the season will come on Monday night when the 2-0 Sixers host the 1-2 Magic.
The Sixers listed Embiid as out with a “left knee injury management” designation for the opening leg of their first back-to-back. They’ll hit the road to face the Wizards on Tuesday.
Embiid has been limited to 20 minutes in each of the Sixers’ first two games. After scoring 20 points in the Sixers’ comeback win Saturday night over the Hornets, he said he’s been pushing to have that restriction lifted “every day.”
In addition to Embiid, the Sixers ruled the following four players out:
Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration)
Paul George (left knee surgery recovery)
Trendon Watford (left hamstring tightness)
Jared McCain (right thumb surgery recovery)
George, Watford and McCain have not yet made their season debuts. Barlow suffered his injury Saturday and missed the second half. He’d been a preseason bright spot and the Sixers’ starting power forward to begin the regular season.
Barlow underwent a procedure Sunday and has been ruled out for the back-to-back, according to a team official. He’ll be re-evaluated later in the week.
Jabari Walker started the second half vs. Charlotte in Barlow’s place, although he did not appear in the fourth quarter. Andre Drummond and Justin Edwards both played massive roles off of the bench in the Sixers’ comeback effort. With Embiid sitting, Drummond seems guaranteed to play significant minutes against the Magic.
Orlando’s injury report Sunday night was clean outside of Moe Wagner, who’s recovering from a torn left ACL.