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Joel Embiid will miss Thursday’s Sixers game against the Jazz with a knee injury

The Sixers center will receive further evaluation on his injured left knee, which was tweaked when Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga landed on it in Tuesday's loss.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)Read moreD. Ross Cameron / AP

SALT LAKE CITY — Joel Embiid is undergoing further evaluation over the next 24 hours to determine the extent of his left knee injury. The 76ers center will miss Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz.

“Joel Embiid [left knee injury] is out for tomorrow night’s game vs. Utah,” the Sixers announced in a statement on Wednesday. “He will receive further evaluation over the next 24 hours. Update will be provided as appropriate.”

Embiid reinjured his knee in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 119-107 setback to the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.

Embiid left the game with 4 minutes, 4 seconds remaining after getting tangled with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga while going for a loose ball. Embiid grimaced in pain as Kuminga fell on his already sore left knee. The reigning MVP then grabbed his knee, rolling in pain before finally making it to his feet and limping to the locker room.

The 7-foot-2, 280-pound star finished with a season-low 14 points on 5-for-18 shooting along with seven rebounds. It was the first time he failed to score 20 points in a game this season. It also snapped Embiid’s streak of at least 30 points in a game at 22.

He didn’t look good all night. The seven-time All-Star could barely stay upright or move on the court. He fell several times and made a trip to the locker room at the conclusion of the first quarter. And that didn’t change anything.

Embiid had very little lift on his jumpers or while trying to contest shots. His legs even buckled a few times after defensive plays.

According to the new collective bargaining agreement, players are required to participate in a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for the NBA’s regular-season awards, including MVP. As a result, Embiid can miss only five of the Sixers’ remaining 36 games to be eligible to win his second straight MVP.