**Sixers Open Season Without Embiid and George**

The highly anticipated debut of the Philadelphia 76ers' new Big 3 will have to wait, as injuries have sidelined key players Joel Embiid and Paul George for the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. Scheduled for Wednesday in Philadelphia, the game will now rely heavily on Tyrese Maxey, the remaining star of the trio.

Embiid, nursing a left knee issue, is set to miss not only the opener but also the upcoming road games against the Toronto Raptors on Friday and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. According to the team’s announcement on Tuesday, Embiid is "responding well to his individualized plan" and is expected to participate in scrimmages this week. Both he and George, who sustained a hyperextended left knee during the preseason, will face re-evaluation over the weekend, per ESPN.

76ers coach Nick Nurse provided a positive update on Tuesday, stating, "He's practiced, he's looking good, he's progressing, he's not quite ready yet, he'll be ready pretty soon," in reference to Embiid. Despite this optimism, the team's concern over Angelmanngeable last season's knee injuries, which limited him to just 39 games, persists. Embiid's absence during the preseason further underscores these worries, though Nurse emphasized there has been no setback.

Meanwhile, George, a significant offseason addition, awaits his moment in a Philadelphia jersey after injuring his knee against the Hawks last week. Known as one of the best third options in the league, George’s injury history is a concern; he has played fewer than 55 games in four of the past five seasons. As noted by 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the strategy is to avoid playing both George and Embiid in back-to-back games.

In the absence of his star teammates, Maxey will be pivotal in energizing the squad against a Bucks team determined to recover from last year's first-round playoffs exit. The Sixers, Bucks, and Knicks are all seen as strong contenders to challenge the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers and their fans will be eager to see their complete star lineup back on the court, but for now, Maxey and company have the task of keeping the team competitive during the early games of the season.