After his season-best outing against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Joel Embiid explained why he's largely been taking a backseat to his teammates this year.

ATLANTA -- The Philadelphia 76ers saw a breakthrough for star big man Joel Embiid in Sunday's 120-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Normally, the big fella will have two days off before playing in his next contest, and he was listed as questionable against the Hawks, but Embiid was able to give it a go.

Now 31 and again attempting to work his way back to health, Philadelphia's superstar center is learning what he's still capable of.

Embiid, who has played in only nine games since returning from left knee surgery, is listed as probable for the Pacers matchup. Maxey initially carried the same designation but has since been downgraded to questionable due to illness. Philadelphia could find itself in a unique predicament if the latter is ultimately ruled out.

It’s been a brutal season of never-ending despondency for Joel Embiid. The 76ers’ star center has only played 13 of the first 44 games of the 2024-25 season because of various injuries. Veteran fans of the Sixers know that Embiid’s frequent health-related “Did Not Plays” (DNPs) aren’t new.

Will Joel Embiid or Paul George play tonight against the Nets? Here’s the latest injury report as the 76ers navigate lineup uncertainty.

The NBA has fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for violating the league's injury reporting rules on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.

PHILADELPHIA — When Joel Embiid grabbed the rebound, waved off his point guard, dribbled the ball the length of the floor, then finished the sequence off with a basket, he knew he was in a good place physically.

VJ Edgecombe added 22 points and five assists, Paul George added 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Dominick Barlow had 10 points and eight rebounds. Quentin Grimes added 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.