Joel Embiid and Paul George miss the 76ers’ game against the Cavaliers

Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss Wednesday’s home game against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers due to injuries.

Embiid and George will miss the Sixers’ second straight game as the team takes a long-term approach to both players and their return from left knee issues.

Embiid made his season debut in Tuesday’s 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks, and George returned last week from a bone bruise in his left knee.

The 76ers have spoken openly since the preseason about how they plan to use Embiid this season – managing his minutes and games played enough so that they can get him safe and healthy into the postseason for the first time in his career.

Embiid said after Tuesday’s game that he would commit to playing against the Cavs, softening comments he made last month that he wouldn’t play back-to-back games anymore.

“I know I said I’d never play back-to-back games,” Embiid said, smiling, “but I’m a troll.”

Embiid shot just 2-for-11 and finished with 13 points and three rebounds as the Sixers fell to 2-8 with Tuesday’s home loss.

George, who led the Sixers with 29 points, admitted he was still “learning a little bit” playing with Embiid, but added that the 2022-23 MVP is “a force out there.”

Aside from Embiid and George, the Sixers will also be without star guard Tyrese Maxey, who will miss his fourth straight game on Wednesday with a right hamstring injury. The trio didn’t play a game together.

The Cavaliers (12-0) are off to their best start to an NBA season since the 2015-16 Warriors, who have won their first 24 games this season.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.