NEW YORK — Guerschon Yabusele’s latest start came alongside Joel Embiid in a rousing Philadelphia 76ers win over the Brooklyn Nets. But the main reason why he started was not necessarily his ability level but those of two of his teammates.

Moves into starting five

George (ankle) missed practice Friday ahead of Saturday's game against the Pacers, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports.

The Philadelphia 76ers were without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry for Tuesday night's matchup

The Wizards gave the Sixers a battle throughout the night, but Philadelphia eventually would hold on for a 109-103 win after holding off a huge Washington rally. Guerschon Yabusele gave the Sixers a huge lift all night and finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to get the job done for Philadelphia.

With Embiid out of the lineup, the 76ers turned to Guerschon Yabusele to pick up some of the offensive slack from the center position. Yabusele finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Joel Embiid will miss his fifth straight game with a lingering foot sprain when the Sixers take on the red-hot Thunder Tuesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers played without their All-Star trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, Andre Drummond and Jared McCain also did not play for the Sixers.

Former Sixer Richaun Holmes split a pair of foul shots with 3:21 left to give the Wizards a one-point lead. After a Wizards three-pointer, Eric Gordon responded with three with 2:16 remaining to tie the game at 101. Maxey’s layup with 23.7 seconds remaining gave the Sixers a 105-103 lead.

The Sixers were able to grow a lead largely because they crushed Washington in the turnover battle. At one stage, the Sixers had 25 points off turnovers to the Wizards’ three. Caleb Martin (three blocks, one steal) and Oubre (two steals, two blocks) were both productive in the turnover-forcing department Wednesday.

Nurse put Lowry back on the bench, he explained after the 123-94 win, to make it easier to play him next to Reggie Jackson. Nick Nurse said he went to Guerschon Yabusele to start so that Kyle ...