By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
With Joel Embiid back in Philadelphia on Sunday nursing some elbow inflammation, the focus of tonight's game was on the debut of Nerlens Noel. Things looked to be going well as the third-year center scored eight points in 10 minutes on the floor, helping his team to a 58-35 lead at halftime. When the teams came out of the locker rooms though, the Sixers announced that he was doubtful to return with a left ankle sprain.
Medical update:
•Noel diagnosed with left ankle sprain, and is doubtful to return.— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) December 12, 2016
Later in the third, he was officially ruled out.
There wasn't really a specific moment during his time on the floor that indicated him tweaking his ankle, but he did take a hard foul within a minute to play in the first and it took him nearly a minute to get back up on his feet. He seemed to be favoring his wrist on the play, but he may have injured his ankle as well. He did start the second quarter on the floor, though, so we'll have to await word from the team or Noel to determine what happened and the severity of the injury.
Noel missed the first 23 games of the season after having a minor elective surgery to repair an inflamed plica above his right knee. He did not have a minutes restriction coming off the bench for the Sixers on Sunday night.
