Sixers guard Jared McCain also suffered an apparent head injury when he hit his head on the floor during the second half on Friday, but he cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and was able to return to the game, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.

30 minutes before the start of the game, the Sixers added veteran point guard Kyle Lowry to their injury report as questionable with lower back spasms. Moments later, he was ruled out for the game. Nurse has noted in the past a desire to be cautious with the workload of Lowry, the 38-year-old floor general with plenty of mileage.

Joel Embiid's tough season took another turn for the worse on Friday as Philadelphia's star center exited early in the 76ers' 121-107 NBA loss to Indiana after being struck in the face.