<
>

76ers' Nerlens Noel out at San Antonio with respiratory infection

SAN ANTONIO -- The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Nerlens Noel, who has an upper respiratory infection, and Robert Covington, who is out with a bruised right hand, against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

76ers center Joel Embiid also will not play. He remains at home to rest a bruised left knee.

Embiid will have his knee looked at Friday, and a decision will be made at that time about his availability for Saturday's game in Miami.

The leading Rookie of the Year candidate, Embiid is averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 31 games. The 7-footer has sat out 12 games this season for rest after missing all of the prior two seasons while recovering from a pair of surgeries on his right foot.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.