Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick gives well wishes to former teammate and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.

Heading into their matchup with the LA Lakers Tuesday night, one of the underlying stories was the return of JJ Redick. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard made his return to the city for the first time as a head coach.

Joel Embiid has been ruled out of the 76ers’ next two games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and Sacramento Kings on Wednesday because of left knee injury management. The team also said that Paul George will not play against the Lakers because of a finger injury sustained Saturday in a win against the Bulls in Chicago.

Embiid was seen taking shots in Philadelphia before the 76ers’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday but he was officially ruled out with notes that read "injury/Illness - Left Knee; Injury Management" on the injury report.

As the Philadelphia 76ers prepared for their Tuesday night battle against the Los Angeles Lakers, the veteran center Joel Embiid was spotted getting shots up be

On Jan. 17, the Sixers announced that Embiid's knee had begun to swell again and they would re-evaluate him in 7-to-10 days. Monday marked the 10th day of that period and the team announced an update on the big fella as they look to begin a 6-game homestand on the right foot on Tuesday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Sixers announced on Jan. 17 that Embiid, who had missed the prior six games with a left foot sprain, was now experiencing swelling in his left knee and would be re-evaluated in approximately 7-10 days.

Embiid, Guerschon Yabusele (knee) and KJ Martin (foot stress reaction) were partial participants. Yabusele missed two games after knee-to-knee contact Jan. 15 against the Knicks but has played the last three, including both halves of the Cleveland-Chicago back-to-back. He was listed as probable.

The center's contract becomes more of an albatross with every game he misses, every night that he happens to suit up and ends up hobbling from one end of the court to the other.

Joel Embiid's ongoing knee issues should alter the Sixers' strategy heading into the NBA trade deadline, as they now have far less incentive to make a win-now move.