MIAMI -- A rematch of Joel Embiid vs. Hassan Whiteside will have to wait.
Embiid is out for Saturday's game against the Heat with a left knee contusion. He missed the previous four contests and has not been with the team on its current road trip.
The Sixers will miss Embiid's defensive presence as they try to snap the Heat's nine-game winning streak. The team has struggled without Embiid in the middle (Salah Mejri grabbed 17 rebounds on Wednesday) and they have a tall task with Whiteside, who scored 32 points with 13 rebounds in their first matchup of the season.
The Sixers could get a boost if they get Robert Covington and Nerlens Noel back. Covington is questionable with a right hand contusion. He missed the last two games and the Sixers have been lacking his perimeter defense.
Noel, who sat out Thursday's game with an upper respiratory infection, is listed as probable. Jahlil Okafor will get the start.
"He's a great rim roller," Okafor said of Whiteside after shootaround. "Tremendous athlete. He has really good guards, they give him the ball. I'm going to have my hands full tonight with him."
