Philadelphia 76ers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss Wednesday’s season opener against Milwaukee and could miss more games as they return from injuries.
George was scheduled to make his Sixers debut after he signed four-year, $212million contract as a free agent this summer.
George has a bone bruise but did not suffer any structural damage when he hyperextended his left knee last week during a preseason game.
The Sixers did not say Tuesday how many more games George could miss, and his return to play will be assessed later in the week.
Embiid did not play in the preseason because of a sore left knee.
Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss Philadelphia’s season opener against Milwaukee
The Sixers said Embiid was ‘responding well’ to his individualized rehab plan and was scheduled to scrimmage this week.
Embiid also will miss Friday’s game against Toronto and will be reevaluated this weekend.
Last month, Embiid agreed a new three-year extension with the team worth $193m.
Embiid has spent all 10 years of his NBA career with the Sixers, who selected him with the third overall pick at the 2014 draft.
Embiid signed his new deal alongside wife Anne de Paula and their son Arthur last month
He has gone on to average 27.9 points per game in his career; the fourth highest of all time behind Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Luka Doncic.
‘Philadelphia is home. I want to be here for the rest of my career,’ the 30-year-old wrote alongside photos of himself signing the deal next to wife Anne de Paula, four-year-old son Arthur and Sixers managing partner Josh Harris on Instagram.
‘I love this community and everything you’ve given me and my family. There is a lot more work to do.
‘You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started!’