Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid is in jeopardy of being shut down just as his numbers were really starting to heat up.

The centre is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers with left knee soreness.

Embiid, who previously had surgery to repair a meniscus tear in the same knee in March 2017, was absent from practice on Saturday, but Sixers coach Brett Brown says the setback is not serious.

“I just learned about it this morning,” Brown said. “He seems in good spirits. I don’t think anybody is too concerned. I think it’s precautionary.”

Embiid, 24, is tied for seventh in the NBA in scoring with 26.5 points per game. He is also third in rebounding (13.3) and ninth in blocks (1.9) while averaging 33.8 minutes per game and shooting 48.4 percent from the field.

The Trail Blazers (20-16) will host the Sixers (23-13) at 9pm Eastern Time.