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Embiid out for Game 3 vs. Nets with knee soreness

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid isn't playing in Thursday's Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets due to left knee soreness.

Greg Monroe took Embiid's place in the starting lineup, leaving Boban Marjanovic as the backup center.

Embiid was deemed healthy enough to play in Game 1 and Game 2 against Brooklyn after appearing in only 10 of Philadelphia's final 24 regular-season contests due to the lingering joint issue. He was listed as questionable - and then as a game-time decision - for Game 3.

"It's tough," Embiid told ESPN's Dave McMenamin ahead of Thursday's game. "That's what tendinitis is all about. And some days you got your days, and some other days is different. So, even in the games that I play, I just try to go out there and try to play for these guys, I try to help us win the series and eliminate them. So, whatever, whatever I can do.

"But it's hard. I just got to keep pushing it and see how I do."

The 25-year-old is averaging 22.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks in the series. He played just 24 and 21 minutes, respectively, in the opening two games after averaging 33.7 minutes per game during the regular season.

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