Magic-76ers Injury Report: George, Embiid Set to Play, Carter Jr. Will Miss 7th Straight Game, Drummond Available

The latest on player health and status ahead of the NBA Cup East Group A game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives for a shot against Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Jonathan Isaac (7) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives for a shot against Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Jonathan Isaac (7) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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ORLANDO, Fla. – NBA Cup action rolls on when the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers square off in East Group A action Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Kia Center.

Orlando, the winner of four straight, defeated the Indiana Pacers by four Wednesday night to improve to 7-6 overall and 6-0 at home. In their first NBA Cup game Tuesday, the Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets by 25 points. With point differential considered, they stand atop East Group A heading into Friday.

The Sixers dropped to 2-9 on Wednesday evening after being the latest to try, and fail, to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers this year. The night before in their NBA Cup opener, Philadelphia fell to New York by 12 points.

Before the contest, here's the latest on player health and status for each team.

Orlando Magic Injury Report:

  • Paolo Banchero: OUT (torn right oblique)
  • Wendell Carter Jr.: OUT (left foot plantar fasciitis)

Banchero is set to miss his ninth game with a torn right oblique suffered in the fourth quarter of the Magic's 102-99 loss at Chicago on October 30.

Carter Jr. will miss his seventh straight contest with left foot plantar fasciitis. The injury came about in the first half of the Magic's loss at Dallas on November 3, and Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said on Tuesday that Carter Jr. was "doing well," and the 25-year-old center was "slowly progressing."

Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report

  • Tyrese Maxey: OUT (right hamstring strain)
  • Andre Drummond: AVAILABLE (illness)

Maxey suffered his hamstring strain during the team's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on November 6, and multiple reports indicated the All-Star guard would miss at least two weeks with the injury.

Drummond, who had 20 rebounds during the preseason meeting between these two teams this season, is questionable with an illness. 6:30 p.m. Friday update: Drummond, who wasn't present at the team's shootaround on Friday morning, is available for the contest vs. the Magic.

Perhaps more notable for the Sixers is who *isn't* on the report. Paul George and Joel Embiid are both absent from the listing, meaning that barring any setbacks, Philadelphia will have both of them available for Friday night.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

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  • MAGIC-76ERS POINT SPREAD: The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a rough start, and they're in Orlando Friday night for a matchup with the Magic. They have to turn it around eventually, right? Joel Embiid is back, and he torched Orlando last year. Here's the latest on the point spread, with a great history on both teams. Some obvious betting trends, too. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC ASSIGN HOUSTAN TO G LEAGUE, THEN RECALL HIM: 2022 second-round draft pick Caleb Houstan spent time with the Osceola Magic Thursday morning, then was recalled Thursday afternoon. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC-PACERS RECAP: The Magic's fourth-quarter defense Orlando through to victory over Indiana Wednesday night. CLICK HERE
  • 'STEADY' GOGA PROVIDING IMPACT: Goga Bitadze could've gone anywhere this summer, but he returned to the Orlando Magic. Now he is fulfilling various roles, including the starting center position as of late, and the Magic are reaping the benefits of Bitadze's impact. CLICK HERE
  • WAGNER'S GROWTH INTO NO. 1 OPTION CRITICAL: Without Paolo Banchero in the fold due to injury, the Magic's ability to stay afloat is led by Franz Wagner. His comfort in that role is crucial. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC'S NEEDED HOMESTAND: Orlando has a five-game stretch of opportunities to take advantage of at the Kia Center, where they'll need to rectify their shooting woes and change their fortune. CLICK HERE
  • MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times, and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

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