Joel Embiid is questionable for the Sixers' road game against the New York Knicks on Friday night due to an illness, according to the team's injury report unveiled on Thursday evening, which does not include Tyrese Maxey, who missed the team's previous two games due to an illness of his own:

Meanwhile, Jared McCain provided a positive update on his own health. Jared McCain is no longer playing with a brace on his right thumb, he said, though the Sixers have it listed on the injury report. “Thank God for that.”

ATLANTA -- The Philadelphia 76ers saw a breakthrough for star big man Joel Embiid in Sunday's 120-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Normally, the big fella will have two days off before playing in his next contest, and he was listed as questionable against the Hawks, but Embiid was able to give it a go.

Now 31 and again attempting to work his way back to health, Philadelphia's superstar center is learning what he's still capable of.

After his season-best outing against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Joel Embiid explained why he's largely been taking a backseat to his teammates this year.

ATLANTA -- When it comes to the success for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, the big fella has to play. He has to be able to get on the floor and play basketball in order to keep his timing and his rhythm which then leads to success on the floor.

PHILADELPHIA — When Joel Embiid grabbed the rebound, waved off his point guard, dribbled the ball the length of the floor, then finished the sequence off with a basket, he knew he was in a good place physically.

Embiid put together his best performance of the early season, with 39 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

It's 11:05 on Friday night and Joel Embiid is in front of his locker in the bowels of Xfinity Mobile Arena. He's the last Sixer in the locker roo