Joel Embiid was ruled out for the final game of the Sixers’ homestand with right ankle soreness.
Amir Johnson got the start in his place as the Sixers (29-25) tried to gain footing in the Eastern Conference against the Heat (30-27).
Now the question remains whether Embiid will participate in All-Star weekend. He was selected to the Rising Stars game Friday, the skills challenge Saturday and named a starter for the All-Star Game Sunday.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
If Embiid doesn’t participate in All-Star weekend, it will mark the second year in a row that he missed out on the festivities. He skipped the Rising Stars game and skills challenge a year ago with a left knee injury.
Prior to Wednesday's game, Brett Brown said the medical staff will work on a plan "to see what's responsible" and include Embiid's input.
“In regards to a definitive, ‘This is what he's going to do,’ that has not been established,” Brown said.