PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is sitting out a third straight game because of back pain.
Coach Brett Brown said less than two hours before Thursday’s game against Toronto that Embiid was “probable” and would play barring a setback in warmups. Embiid didn’t show any discomfort on the court, but was ruled out about 30 minutes before tipoff.
Embiid, who averages a team-best 24.1 points and 11 rebounds, has yet to play since he logged a career-high 49 minutes in last Friday’s triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma City.
The oft-injured big man out of Cameroon hasn’t been allowed to play on consecutive nights as he recovers from left knee surgery. He missed his two full seasons with foot injuries after being drafted No. 3 overall in 2014.
Sixers guard J.J. Redick didn’t dress Thursday with a sore right hamstring and is doubtful for Saturday’s rematch against the Raptors in Toronto.
