'Joel Embiid and Paul George of the 76ers All-Stars Practice, But Not Yet Ready for Game Time'

Joel Embiid and Paul George are not prepared to participate in a regular-season match, but they did engage in practice and a full-court scrimmage with the 76ers on Friday, which the team viewed as a positive development. Embiid and George are sidelined with injuries to their left knees and have been ruled out for the fifth consecutive regular-season game on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 76ers will also face the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The NBA imposed a $100,000 fine on the 76ers for making statements that did not accurately reflect the players' health status. Embiid's next game will be his 434th appearance for the 76ers, out of a possible 806 games, after Saturday's match. In comparison, Aaron Gordon, who was selected after Embiid in the 2014 NBA Draft, has played in 669 regular-season games and 52 playoff games for the Denver Nuggets. \"I wish I had the same luck as others,\" Embiid stated on Friday, referring to his history of knee injuries and surgery to repair a torn meniscus on February 6th. \"But that doesn't mean I'm not trying and doing everything in my power to get back out there, which I will be doing soon.\" Speaking at the team's practice facility in New Jersey after the scrimmage, the 30-year-old Embiid made it clear that he is frustrated by the constant speculation about his desire to play. \"When I see people saying, 'he doesn't want to play,' I've done too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to say that,\" Embiid expressed. \"I think it's nonsense. \"I've done too much for this damn city to be treated like this. I've done too much.\" The seven-time All-Star and 2022-23 MVP represented Team USA at the Paris Olympics this summer. Embiid, who missed two seasons due to a foot injury after being drafted by the 76ers in 2014, has averaged 27.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in his career with Philadelphia. Embiid stated that \"everyone is on the same page\" when it comes to his return to regular-season games. George, who signed as a free agent in July, stated that he was cleared for contact work earlier this week. He has been recovering from a bone bruise. \"Building up my endurance. You can't replicate that level of cardio except by playing,\" George said on Friday. \"Being thrown back into the mix has helped me improve my endurance, doing some sprints, and running up and down the court on the side. That's helping me get back. That's the last hurdle I have to overcome. I'm getting there.\" The 34-year-old George averaged 22.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 74 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. In his 14-year NBA career, he has averaged 20.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 867 games (819 starts) for the Indiana Pacers (2010-17), Oklahoma City Thunder (2017-19), and the Clippers.