Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George had to sit out the season opener against the Bucks

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Paul George's debut with the Philadelphia 76ers is on hold and Joel Embiid will be out again due to injury.

Embiid and George will miss Wednesday's season opener against Milwaukee and could miss more games as the All-Stars are expected to try to lead Philadelphia to its first championship since returning from injuries in 1983.

76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss Wednesday's opener against the Bucks. Embiid is making good progress and is hitting his stride this week. He won't play this week. George will be evaluated again later in the week. pic.twitter.com/oDFyAx1mbz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2024

George was set to make his Sixers debut after leaving the Los Angeles Clippers and signing a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agent this summer. George, 34, suffered a bone bruise hyperextended his left knee during a preseason game.

The Sixers did not say Tuesday how many more games George might miss; His return to play will be assessed later in the week.

George, a nine-time All-Star, was injured in the second quarter of a game against Atlanta last week when his knee gave out on a defensive play.

George struggled with injuries for most of his career before playing in 76 games last season, the first time he played more than 56 games since 2018-19.

He spoke about the bone bruise on his “Podcast P with Paul George” this week. George, a six-time All-NBA player, said his knee is stable and has not suffered any major damage, and there is no cause for long-term concern about his health.

“My leg literally got stuck. I don't even know what else to call it. Only my knee is locked, my leg is locked,” George said on his podcast. “When I went to push off, all my momentum went forward and my leg just moved inward. I know I'm thinking about it, as soon as I saw it I was like, “Ah, that doesn't feel right, that doesn't feel right.”

The Sixers' schedule also includes games at Indiana on Sunday and home games on Wednesday and Saturday.

“I'll be good. I’ll be good,” George said. “I should hopefully be back sooner rather than later, but I imagine it won’t be a long schedule.”

The Sixers are on a familiar path with Embiid.

He not played in the preseason because of a sore left knee.

The Sixers said Embiid has “responded well to his individual rehab plan” and is scheduled to practice this week. Embiid will also miss Friday's game against Toronto and will be re-evaluated this weekend.

The 30-year-old, who won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Paris, signed a $193 million contract before training camp. The 76ers have failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs since 2001, in large part because Embiid has failed to stay healthy for an entire postseason.

Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was only able to play in 39 last season largely due to knee surgery. He tore the meniscus in his left knee on January 30th and underwent surgery on February 6th.

“We have to do everything we can to make sure I’m healthy for the postseason,” Embiid said in September. “It’s whatever it takes to make sure I get to that point and I’m ready to go. Basically, I got hurt in the playoffs every year of my career. That’s the goal, to do whatever it takes to get there.”

The 76ers finished 31-8 last season with Embiid – about 65 wins – and a dismal 16-27 record without him.

Embiid revealed before training camp that he had lost about 25 to 30 pounds over the summer to stay in better shape for the long season. This also means that you do not leave any further problems with your knee behind.

“Until I get to the point where they feel like I’m ready to go, I’m sure they’re going to hold me back,” Embiid said Team media day. “I think with the guys we have and what I can bring, we have a pretty good chance (of a title).”

He has five All-NBA Team honors, seven consecutive All-Star selections from 2017-24, three All-Defensive Team nominations and was the NBA scoring champion twice.

With George, he will be named the 2023 NBA MVP Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese MaxeyThe 76ers were expected to have one of the most formidable trios in the league as they try to assemble a core that can compete with NBA champion Boston.

Maxey is expected to play against his former coach Doc Rivers and the Bucks after the guard suffered a bruised right thumb in the preseason.