Sixers Notes: Joel Embiid, Paul George Return, Jared McCain Starts

As the 2-9 SIxers get ready to take on the Magic in Orland in an NBA Cup game, they will have the services of Joel Embiid and Paul George, for just the second time this season.

While the team has struggled without the two All-Stars, plus not having Tyrese Maxey due to injury, they are staying the course with this season.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps:

The mood around the 2-9 76ers could be better, but team sources told ESPN that hasn't changed the long-term plan when it comes to its stars. The goal is to get Embiid and George through the season healthy and ready for the playoffs. The fact that Philadelphia currently sits just 2½ games out of sixth in the East helps. (By comparison, the Sixers would be twice that far back in the West.)

Head coach Nick Nurse stated tonight before the game on Orlando, that he expects Joel Embiid’s minutes will increase tonight and that Paul George is no longer has a minutes restriction, which should help. 

While Embiid and George's absence has been a story, the emergence of Jared McCain has be another one, and he will start tonight with Kelly Oubre Jr. heading to the bench.

Listen to the Sixers and Magic tonight at 7pm with Tom McGinnis calling all the action on 97.3 ESPN.