Joel Embiid and Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers will miss their third straight game on Wednesday night against Houston due to left knee injuries.
George is out with a bone bruise in his left knee, while Embiid will miss another game because of swelling in his left knee.
In addition, six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry (hip strain) will also be sitting out against Houston.
With both Embiid and George missing most of the year, the 76ers have only won 3 of their 16 games, placing them second to last in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only Washington.
“We’ve all kind of looked in the mirror and faced what we’re up against,” George said during practice in Camden, New Jersey, on Wednesday. “No one has said this is over. No one is doubting we can’t make a push.”
The All-Star trio of Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey have played together for just one game this season, totaling just over six minutes on the court.
George has played in only eight of the team’s 16 games, while Embiid has played in just four.
A nine-time All-Star, George participated partially in practice on Wednesday. The Sixers also mentioned that Caleb Martin, who signed a four-year, $32 million contract, did not practice and is listed as questionable for Wednesday due to hip soreness.
“I saw something that we played 6 or 7 minutes together and we’re 16 games in,” George said. “It’s challenging. You look at the guys that came here for that reason of playing alongside myself, Joel, and Tyrese. We’re asking them to do a lot in the absence of us.”
The 76ers committed over $400 million in salary to Maxey and George early in free agency and also signed Embiid to a $193 million extension just before training camp began.
