Updated: 6:21 p.m.
Joel Embiid (left knee contusion) did not take part in the Sixers' shootaround Friday morning, but has been upgraded to probable for tonight's game against the Lakers with a left knee contusion. Embiid is scheduled to start alongside Jahlil Okafor in the frontcourt.
Embiid has had a rough few days. He suffered the left knee contusion in a collision with Dario Saric at practice Thursday. The day before, Embiid twisted his left ankle in pregame warmups and then aggravated it during the loss to the Raptors. He also suffered a bloody nose in that game and dove into the stands for a loose ball.
But if Embiid misses tonight's game, the Sixers still may have two bigs available. Nerlens Noel was downgraded from probable to questionable with a sprained ankle and will receive pregame treatment.
Noel played 10 minutes in his season debut last Sunday, scoring eight points before spraining his left ankle. He did not play Wednesday vs. Toronto.
Saric is also probable for Friday's game following the collision with Embiid.
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The Sixers (6-19) are 2-7 without Embiid this season. They've lost those games by an average score of 107-99. In the 16 games Embiid has played, they've lost by an average score of 106-98.
The Lakers are 10-18 and have lost eight in a row since December began. Their defense has been abysmal, allowing 115 points per game during the skid.
