Embiid and Drummond will both miss their fifth consecutive game with a sprained left foot and sprained left toe, respectively.

Around the midway point of the season, the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers are clearly trending in opposite directions. The Pacers eye their eighth win in nine games Saturday in Indianapolis when they host the scuffling Sixers,

The Philadelphia 76ers were without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry for Tuesday night's matchup

Council, Dowtin, Bona, and Justin Edwards formed the whole Philly bench against the New York Knicks. Edwards stole the headlines but there is a lot to be said about the other three.

Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, has played in just 13 games this season, missing time with knee, foot and sinus injuries. He was sidelined for Philadelphia’s first nine games, sat out seven consecutive games in late November and early December and has been sidelined for the past six games.

Dowtin totaled 18 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Thunder. The 76ers were very shorthanded Tuesday,

While Joel Embiid remains on the sidelines, the Sixers’ schedule isn’t letting up as their weekend back-to-back on the road begins against a hot Pacers team.

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 2, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NBAE via Getty Images ...

In the second half, the Sixers showed signs of the team they were supposed to be without Joel Embiid. But their dreadful first half sunk them to 15-24.

The Philadelphia 76ers played without their All-Star trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

Maxey (hand) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks. Paul George (ankle) is also questionable, while Joel Embiid (foot) is out once again. Maxey was unable to play Tuesday against the Thunder,

During that time, the team identified its largest need as a big man, given the recent absences of Joel Embiid and Andre ... Justin Edwards and Jeff Dowtin Jr. are the Sixers' other two-way players.