The Sixers aren’t sure if Joel Embiid will be available when their second-round playoff series begins, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
After Philadelphia wrapped up a sweep of the Nets on Saturday afternoon, coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Embiid is “probably 50 percent, at best” to be ready for the team’s next game, which will likely be played next weekend.
Embiid sat out Saturday’s contest with a right knee sprain that he suffered in Thursday’s Game 3 when he landed awkwardly while trying to block a shot. He was experiencing pain and swelling in the knee and underwent an MRI after the game.
“From my understanding, they checked his knee out right after the game because he was complaining about some soreness behind the knee,” Rivers said, “which is always a scary thing to hear about with players. There was swelling already, which is way too early, so we did the MRI. … It just feels like whenever they tell a coach we’re going to get an MRI, it doesn’t turn out well most of the time and this one did not.”
The Sixers won today without Embiid, but he’s obviously indispensable to their title hopes. He captured the league’s scoring title this season, averaging 33.1 PPG in 66 games, and is a finalist for MVP honors.
The knee sprain continues a troubling run of playoff injuries for Embiid. A year ago, he suffered a right orbital fracture and concussion that sidelined him for the first two games of the conference semifinals. He had a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee during the 2021 postseason and played with an ankle injury in the 2020 playoffs, although he didn’t miss any games. He also dealt with knee soreness in the 2019 playoffs and another orbital fracture in 2018.
“Obviously, clearly that’s on your mind,” Rivers responded when asked about his message for Embiid. “But as I said, this is another obstacle in the story that we’re going to write this year, and you’re going to be OK. It may take a minute, but this is just part of it. To me, I’m sure … he’s human, and goodness, this happens again. Let’s win, let’s get him back on the floor and let’s keep on our own journey.”
If Reed isn’t available for the start of round two, he will likely be replaced again in the starting lineup by Paul Reed, who delivered 10 points and 15 rebounds in today’s close-out game.
Considering next round we will have the Celtics we will definitely need Embiid.
They have 2 really good defensive guards in Smart and White with Tatum and Brown both solid defensively at the forward spots too.
We wont have any easy buckets and the only way we win is Embiid and Harden getting to the line a bunch plus our outside shot falling.
Hopefully Atlanta can win another game and give us some more time and cause the Celtics some more wear and tear.
If Embiid doesn’t win a championship this year with an all NBA guy like Harden on his team he needs to never be mentioned in another MVP discussion
Dumbest post ever. Especially since the MVP award is relegated specifically to the regular season.
Maybe the referees should have done a better job officiating, and players like Embiid, Kawhi, Ja, etc won’t miss any playoff games!
Embiid needs to be back and very close to 100% for the Celtics series.i think whoever wins that will win it all!
Gamesmanship
This is how you don’t win an MVP
MVP voting is already completed. Is it his fault that he gets hacked all thr sirk long and can barely work the next day?He gets the Shaq treatment e every game?
Yet in 10 playoff series Embid has missed 4 games and never made it past the eastern conference semis.
In 45 playoff series Shaq has missed 5 games and has won 4 rings.
You’re example was a poor one. I appreciate the help proving my point but I didn’t need it.
Celtics vs Hawks is 2-1. Hawks tie it up Sun. Then Embiid should have more time to rest n heal.
And if the Hawks pull off a miracle the 76ers have an easier opponent…
But They’ll still need Embiid as Capela will beast if Embiid ain’t out there…
I love Embiid but the playoff injuries over the past few years are killer and ruining his legacy, which by the way will also be ruined if he doesn’t win a chip. I could care less about MVP. We’ve had an MVP and no chip with Iverson. But this year marks 40 yrs since the sixers last chip. For a large market team, in a top media market, that is unacceptable. Since Dr. J retired and the Barkley was traded, the team has seen glimpses of light success. The Iverson years were never solidified with another playmaker to pair with him. And the potential what if’s of having one or two of the following in Nowitski, McGrady, or Pierce could have been a franchise changer. Imagine an Iverson, T-Mac and Dirk big 3. Then draft an AK 47 and get another pass first guard and defensive center. Sick!!!