Sixers practice notebook: Still no clear plan for Joel Embiid yet

CAMDEN - Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were engaged in some friendly competition on the far court of the near half of the gym.

Embiid - donning a red shirt, shorts and UGG driving moccasins - was shooting jumpers, alternating between his left and right hands. Maxey was doing the same. They enjoyed each other's company.

Two teammates who can do little more than resign themselves to this season being a total nightmare. Big brother and little brother messing around in the driveway after school.

It was a pleasant sight on the final lap of a not-so-pleasant season.

Maxey, an individual participant at Saturday's practice, will not play on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. His back is getting better. There is optimism that the sprained lower back could've been much worse. The Sixers want to make sure he can do all the physical impact things he's used to doing before they let him play again. 

The sprained finger on his shooting hand? Not so much. It's still bothering him.

Paul George will be out for at least the next two games with left groin soreness.

The Sixers' next two opponents? The 15-48 Jazz and the 21-42 Toronto Raptors.

As for Embiid, there's still no defined course of action eight days after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

"I think they're getting closer to that. There's another evaluation at some point [Saturday], as well. So, I know they've met a lot, talked to a lot and seen a lot of people," Nick Nurse told reporters after practice.

"So, we're working at it, but I don't think the definitive answer is here quite yet. Should be soon, though."

Not that Nurse has much time to focus on Embiid these days.

Every day is a winding road. All he can do is absorb the daily shifts in the team and prepare whoever is available for tomorrow.

Spare notes

• Andre Drummond did not practice due to an illness. He is not on the injury report for Sunday's game. Nurse prepared the team for the game with Guerschon Yabusele acting as the big on Saturday.
• It sounds like Quentin Grimes will continue to serve as the point guard while Maxey is out. Nurse is aware that Grimes fits in as a shooting guard. But he wants to avoid going too small at too many positions with Jeff Dowtin Jr. or Jared Butler starting at point guard. So, expect them to continue to get their opportunities in reserve roles.
• Justin Edwards practiced for the first time in a while despite having been available for games recently. He still has some discomfort in his ankle.
• Nurse is mulling giving Adem Bona more minutes as the regular season reaches its final stretch.

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