Joel Embiid is questionable to return tonight with the left knee contusion that has kept him out of the Sixers' last two games.
Embiid will be evaluated throughout the day and it looks like he'll be a game-time decision.
Embiid had been going through rehab on his knee and resumed on-court work on Thursday with one-on-one activity. He said there was no swelling on Friday.
When asked if he could play 28 minutes against the Rockets (his per-game restriction), Embiid said, “Oh yeah, definitely.”
Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness) is available to play against the visiting Rockets. If Embiid doesn't play, Okafor will. If Embiid does play, it would likely be another DNP-CD for Okafor.
The Sixers have won two straight games without Embiid and Okafor, beating the Clippers by 11 points and the Bucks by five.
It would be much more challenging, though, for the Sixers to keep pace tonight with Houston without Embiid. The Rockets are 34-15 and average the second-most points in the NBA, 114.3 per game (see game notes).
NBA
The Rockets destroyed the Sixers, 115-88, in Houston on Nov. 14. That was one of Embiid's quieter games: 13 points, 10 rebounds, six turnovers. Okafor went 2 for 11 for four points.
Without Embiid and Okafor this week, Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes have played huge roles. In the two games, Noel totaled 35 points, 21 rebounds, five assists, three steals and four blocks, going 9 for 9 from the line. Holmes combined for 27 points on 11 for 15 shooting and added 11 boards.
CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato contributed to this report.