PHILADELPHIA − The 76ers won the game, and thus their risk by holding out center Joel Embiid from their game Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Sixers beat the Nets 107-86 without Embiid. But they were not able to avoid the play-in tournament, as both Orlando and Indiana won. The Sixers thus remained the No. 7 seed and will play host to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat for the chance to advance to the first round of the playoffs.

Embiid was ruled out just before the game Sunday against the Nets to continue to recover from his left knee injury that kept him out for more than two months.

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Embiid has played in five of seven games since returning on April 2, averaging 30.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in those games. But Embiid left Friday night's game briefly in the second quarter when his left knee started bothering him. He returned for the second half of the Sixers' 125-113 win over the Orlando Magic.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse said Embiid took part in a light practice Saturday, and fully expects him to play Wednesday against Miami.

"We just decided, out of caution, to hold him out," Nurse said. "He’ll be ready to go. He’ll be fine."

It's possible that Embiid's knee will be an issue during the playoffs as well. Had the Sixers risen to the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, Embiid would have had more than a week of rest before the first round begins. As it is, Embiid will have five days before the game against Miami.

If the Sixers beat Miami, they would advance to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and face the No. 2 seed New York Knicks either Saturday or Sunday.

But if the Sixers lose to the Heat, they'll play again Friday against the winner of the No. 9-10 game. A win Friday would send them to the first round as the No. 8 seed against No. 1 seed Boston, most likely on Sunday. That would mean Embiid would play in three games in five games.

The Sixers would be eliminated from the playoffs with losses on both Wednesday and Friday.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Joel Embiid out as Sixers try to avoid NBA play-in tournament