PHILADELPHIA -- 76ers center Joel Embiid missed his third straight game Friday night, a 123-115 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, because of a sprained left foot.

He has sat out 23 times this season.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse said before the game that although the All-Star's foot injury has continued to bother him, the team doesn't believe the injury is a long-term concern.

"It's been aggravated, for sure," Nurse said. "That's why he's not playing. Again, he's day to day. He practiced yesterday. Hoping that maybe he'd be able to go today. Not quite ready. Hoping he can go for the next one."

The 76ers play Sunday at Orlando.

Embiid has played in just 13 games this season. The Sixers are 7-6 with Embiid and 8-15 without him -- add that up, and it's a 15-21 record for team that boasts All-Stars Paul George and Tyrese Maxey and is out of the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

"We're definitely better with Joel out there, that's a fact," George said. "We're better with the big guy back in the lineup with us."

George has been spotty in the first season of his four-year, $212 million contract. He's struggled with injuries and his shot in his first season in Philly and hasn't quite found the consistent groove expected out of the nine-time All-Star. Against New Orleans, George had one bucket and three fouls at 8:13 of the second quarter. In the second half, George hit five 3s and scored 23 of his 25 points.

Maxey scored 30 points in 40 minutes and continues to log heavy minutes trying to carry the scoring load in Embiid's absence.

"It just seemed to me like we didn't have quite the pop energy-wise we needed the full game," Nurse said.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP, Embiid is averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season -- below his career averages. He also has missed games due to left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room.

Nurse said Embiid's knee has been "pretty good" and the main issue is with the foot.

Embiid's absence put a damper on a game that was also missing Pelicans big man Zion Williamson because of a suspension for violating team policies.

And the 76ers played without Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain) and KJ Martin (left foot).

The Sixers ruled out rookie Jared McCain for the rest of the season Thursday following left knee surgery last month on a torn meniscus.

The 20-year-old McCain spent one season at Duke before the Sixers made him their 2024 first-round draft pick. McCain -- the 16th selection -- was off to a fantastic start and had averaged 15.3 points in 23 games. He started eight games and was an instant fan favorite in large part to amassing nearly 5 million followers as a TikTok sensation.

"He was not only a great pick by our organization, he was really impacting the team in a positive manner," Nurse said. "I think any rookie picked in that range that comes in and bolts to the top of all rookies is a credit to the player and organization, as well."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.