Joel Embiid was left on the bench in the fourth quarter as the Philadelphia 76ers collapsed to a 105-103 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets.

Embiid scored just 14 points in 31 minutes, missing all six 3-point attempts before the 76ers rallied from a 17-point deficit to snatch a late lead.

However, Philadelphia were undone by Nic Claxton's buzzer-beating winner as they slumped to a seventh straight defeat.

"They had a good feel for the game at that point," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after leaving Embiid out in the deciding quarter. "Just wanted to let them roll with it."

Embiid stated earlier this week that he needs to "fix the problem" in his left knee to return to his dominant form.

The two-time NBA scoring champion has played in just 19 of 56 games for his side, having managed just 39 outings last season due to a torn meniscus.

"I've probably seen him at his best, I think," 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey said of his team-mate Embiid.

"I can't really speak for a couple of seasons before that. But for the last four years, he's been pretty dominant every time he steps on the court.

"Knowing that it's still holding him back a little bit, and he's still out here trying to fight and get his rhythm. Go out there and just be him and it's difficult. I just try to keep his head up."

final. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/IVbdWFv06c

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 23, 2025

Philadelphia are now 20-36 after the Nets defeat as their chances for a place in the NBA play-in tournament dropped further.

Nurse remains grateful for Embiid's efforts, though the 76ers star is far from his usual best.

"He's giving us what he can. He's not himself, we all know that," Nurse said.

"He's not certainly the guy we're used to seeing play at a super-high level. I commend him for giving us what he can."