76ers’ Joel Embiid (knee) sits out regular-season finale

PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid sat out of Sunday’s regular season finale for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Brooklyn Nets in a precautionary measure ahead of the playoffs, sources told ESPN.

The expectation is Embiid will be available for Philadelphia’s next game, sources told ESPN.

That next game could be Tuesday, if Philadelphia is on the road for the 7-8 play-in game, or Wednesday, if the 76ers are hosting it. It also could be next weekend, if the 76ers manage to avoid the play-in game and get to the first round.

Embiid, who briefly left Friday’s game after appearing to feel pain in his left knee late in the first half, returned and played the rest of the game. Sixers coach Nick Nurse told reporters he took part in Saturday’s practice.

The NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Embiid has averaged 30.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists across the five games he’s played following a two-month layoff due to a procedure on his left meniscus after Golden State Warriors fell on his left knee back on Jan. 30.

Philadelphia will finish sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a win over the Nets and an Orlando Magic loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. If both teams win, the 76ers will wind up in the seventh seed, and will host the Miami Heat on Wednesday.