It remains unclear as to whether Markelle Fultz, the Philadelphia 76ers' rookie guard, will play at all this season.
It seems increasingly unlikely that another Sixers rookie, guard/forward Ben Simmons, will play in next Sunday's All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The Sixers, however, are playing some of their best ball of the season heading into Saturday's home game against another hot team, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Joel Embiid shrugged off a sore right ankle to generate 24 points and 16 rebounds as the Sixers (27-25) battered the New Orleans Pelicans 100-82 on Friday night.