DETROIT _ This is why the 76ers got Al Horford and re-signed Tobias Harris and Mike Scott.
The Sixers acquired Horford, a five-time All-Star, to bolster their starting lineup at power forward when Embiid played. He is also their insurance policy at center when the oft-injured Embiid misses games.
Horford's presence was needed Saturday night, as Embiid (sprained right ankle) sat out the Sixers' 117-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Little Caesars Arena.
In Embiid's absence, Horford had 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists playing center. Harris scored 16 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter on 6-of-7 shooting, making all three of his 3-point shots. Off the bench, Scott, who re-signed this summer, finished the game with 17 points, making 5 of 6 3-point attempts.
Scott made a pair of foul shots with 5.4 seconds left to seal the six-point win.
Harris slid from small forward to power forward on this night. His versatility and ability to create were among the reasons why the Sixers re-signed him to five-year, $180 million deal this summer. Scott's grit and shooting ability are why the Sixers inked him to a two-year, $9.8 million deal to stay in Philly.
But Harris and Horford playing different positions enabled rookie Matisse Thybulle to make his first regular-season start.
The Pistons were also shorthanded.
Six-time All-Star power forward Blake Griffin (knee, hamstring) and point guard Reggie Jackson missed the game.
But unlike in season's past, the Sixers didn't miss a beat with Embiid out because they now have Horford.
Horford wasn't exactly a solid replacement early on.
The 13th-year veteran missed his first three shots attempts _ two wide-open 3-pointers and an alley-oop dunk. He went on to shoot 1 for 6 in the first quarter. However, Horford made both of his shot attempts in second quarter, He also grabbed three rebounds and compiled three assists in 7 minutes, 56 minutes of action in the quarter. Horford added 17 points in the second half.
Embiid reported discomfort in his ankle following Wednesday's season-opening victory over the Boston Celtics. The two-time All-Star didn't practice Friday and was only able to partake in a portion of Saturday morning's shootaround at Detroit Country Day School. Afterward, he told the team medical staff that he would be unable to play Saturday.
Embiid received treatment on his ankle. It's too early to determine his status for Monday night's road game against the Atlanta Hawks.
The two-time All-Star was in his best shape while heading into a season, according to coach Brett Brown.
In addition to Horford, the Sixers acquired center Kyle O'Quinn in free agency this summer. O'Quinn ( two points) backed up Horford Saturday.
"There is a pacifier for me," Brown said. "And I'm numb to it. We've lived this life for a while. I feel bad for him because he really has had the best preseason and has come in the best shape of any year I've been with Joel."
Embiid has an injury history.
The 25-year-old was hampered by tendinitis in his left knee last season. He missed 14 of the final 24 regular-season games, plus Game 3 of the Sixers' opening-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets.
The third overall pick of the 2014 draft missed his first two seasons due to two foot surgeries. Then he only played in 31 games during the 2016-17 season due to season-ending knee surgery. He also missed the final eight regular-season games and Game 1 and Game 2 of the opening-round playoff series against the Miami Heat during the following season after fracturing a bone in his face.
Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 31 points off the bench.
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