Updated, 12:45 p.m.
Joel Embiid, who's missed 12 of the Sixers' last 13 games with a left knee injury, will not participate in the Rising Stars Challenge or Skills challenge. He will, however, travel to New Orleans to take in All-Star weekend.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will take Embiid's place in the Skills challenge, and Thunder guard Alex Abrines will replace him on the World Team for the Rising Stars challenge.
As Sixers.com reporter Brian Seltzer points out, Sixers trainers will be in New Orleans for All-Star weekend and will be able to work with Embiid.
It's unfortunate Embiid has missed so many games at this time because he could have been an All-Star replacement for injured Cavs forward Kevin Love. Instead, Embiid will be forced to watch the weekend's events.
Embiid was on a roll before suffering the knee injury Jan. 20 against Portland. He averaged 23.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.6 blocks in January, all monthly highs.
