Magic-76ers Injury Report: Bitadze Will Play & Start; Embiid, George OUT for Philadelphia

The latest on player health and status ahead of the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers' matchup Wednesday night.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are set to square off Wednesday night, with each team on the second night of a back-to-back. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Wells Fargo Center.

Orlando got decimated by the New York Knicks Tuesday night in the NBA Cup, losing 121-106. Franz Wagner scored 30 points for the Magic, but as a team, they didn't have an answer for the Knicks' offensive firepower.

Philadelphia defeated the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday night 110-104.

The Magic are 15-8 and the Sixers are 5-14.

Here's the latest on player health and status for the game Wednesday night.

Orlando Magic Injury Report

• Paolo Banchero: OUT (torn right oblique)
• Gary Harris: OUT (left hamstring strain)
• Goga Bitadze: AVAILABLE (right ankle sprain)

Banchero will miss his 19th straight game with the torn right oblique suffered Oct. 30 at Chicago.

Harris will miss his fifth straight game with a left hamstring strain he suffered Nov. 25 at Charlotte.

After being announced as the starting center Tuesday night in New York, Bitadze was a late scratch with a right ankle sprain that coach Jamahl Mosley said the center suffered during his pregame shooting slot. Bitadze previously missed time this season with a left foot tendon strain.

6:45 p.m. Wednesday update: Goga Bitadze will play and start tonight, per Magic PR.

Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report

• Paul George: OUT (left knee injury recovery)
• Joel Embiid: OUT (left knee injury management)
• Andre Drummond: OUT (right ankle sprain)
• Kyle Lowry: OUT (right hip injury recovery)

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said postgame Tuesday that Joel Embiid and Paul George's status are both up in air due to the second night of a back-to-back.

Nurse said he didn't expect Embiid to play, although he wasn't certain. George will be evaluated as well, the coach said.

11:15 a.m. Wednesday update: ESPN's Tim Bontemps reports that both Paul George and Joel Embiid are OUT versus the Magic.

Paul George is out tonight against Orlando, sources told ESPN, after playing a season-high 37 minutes Tuesday in Charlotte.

Joel Embiid, who’s been out for personal reasons & left knee injury management, is getting back on the court & starting his ramp-up process. He remains out

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 4, 2024

Kyle Lowry (right hip injury recovery) and Andre Drummond (right ankle sprain) are also OUT.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• MAGIC'S KNOCKOUT ROUND SCHEDULE: The NBA announced the schedule possibilities for the Orlando Magic in the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-KNICKS RECAP: Things got out of hand quickly for Orlando Tuesday night vs. the Knicks, but the Magic still advanced to the knockout round of the NBA Cup CLICK HERE
• ESPN'S 25 UNDER 25 FEATURES 3 MAGIC: The Orlando Magic have three players on ESPN's NBA '25 under 25' list CLICK HERE
• PAOLO'S STARDOM GROWS GIVING BACK IN NYC: Banchero spent his Monday afternoon surprising kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem with a shopping spree at the NBA Store in New York. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S RELIANCE ON POISE AND MATURITY: Orlando has superpowers, ones they've garnered through years of trudging through results to end up where they are now: maturity and poise. CLICK HERE
• PAOLO BANCHERO BACK ON THE COURT: The All-Star forward is making progress toward a return for the first time since tearing his oblique Oct. 30. CLICK HERE
• 3 THINGS MAGIC ARE THANKFUL FOR: Wrecking-ball defense, another star and being unbeatable at home – there's plenty to be thankful for with the Magic this year. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC GIVE BACK THIS THANKSGIVING: See how the Magic organization gave back to Central Florida's less fortunate this holiday. CLICK HERE
• FRANZ HAS 'GOTTA BE' AN ALL-STAR, SHAMS SAYS: Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has been turning heads and forcing people to take notice of his recent performances. Now, ESPN's Shams Charania says he should be an All-Star lock. 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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