Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor have each been ruled out for the Sixers' game tonight in Milwaukee.
Both players missed Tuesday night's 121-110 victory over the LA Clippers, Embiid with a left knee contusion and Okafor with right knee soreness.
Okafor was not ruled out last night until just before tip-off. He had been listed as questionable all day Tuesday, downgraded from probable the previous day.
Without Embiid and Okafor Tuesday, the Sixers turned to Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes and got season-best performances from both.
Noel had a season-high 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting, with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks. He also made all three of his free throws.
Holmes - who hadn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 14, first because of a concussion, then because of the Sixers' logjam at the five-spot - had a season-high 18 points in just 19 minutes. He was 8 for 11 from the field and made his only three.
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Noel and Holmes will be tested tonight against the Bucks' size - particularly Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson and Greg Monroe.
When the Sixers beat the Bucks in Milwaukee on Jan. 16, Embiid had 22 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Okafor had 10 points off the bench.
Embiid, Okafor and Saric selected to play in Rising Stars Challenge
Joel Embiid is going to All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.
At least for the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, that much is known.
Embiid will be joined by Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric for the Feb. 17 game, which features 20 first- and second-year players on U.S. and world teams chosen by NBA assistant coaches.
Embiid leads all rookies with 19.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game; Saric is second with 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. Okafor is averaging 11.2 points and 4.8 boards per game.
Okafor played on the U.S. squad last season as a rookie. This year he will be joined by Devin Booker, Malcolm Brogdon, Marquese Chriss, Brandon Ingram, Frank Kaminsky, D'Angelo Russell, Jonathon Simmons, Karl-Anthony Towns and Myles Turner.
Embiid (Cameroon) and Saric (Croatia) will be on the world team with Danté Exum (Australia), Buddy Hield (Bahamas), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Trey Lyles (Canada), Emmanuel Mudiay (Dem. Rep. of Congo), Jamal Murray (Canada), Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania).
Embiid still is waiting to find out if he will be named to the All-Star Game itself. The reserves, selected by head coaches, will be announced on Jan. 26.
