philadelphia 76ers NBA MVP Finalist Denied joel embied for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series due to an LCL sprain in his right knee.
Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that there is optimism regarding Embiid’s potential availability for Game 2.
“He’s out today,” said 76ers coach Doc Rivers, “and we’ll see moving forward.”
Rivers said Embiid made some shots after his shootaround, but he hasn’t made any runs yet. He was also seen taking shots after the team’s practice on Sunday.
Asked what it would take for Embiid to get back on the court, Rivers said it would just be a matter of doctors saying he would be available to play.
Embiid suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly after a drive-by contest. Brooklyn Nets Ahead cam johnson On April 20, in Game 3 of a first-round sweep of Philadelphia.
After Philadelphia won Game 4 to shut out the Nets two days later, Rivers said after that game that it was “probably less than 50 percent” Embiid would be ready to start the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
76 people were given additional two days’ rest when atlanta hawks pushed their first-round series with the Celtics to six games, moving the start of the series to a Monday instead of a Saturday.
Ultimately, though, there wasn’t enough time for Embiid to get on the court. Philadelphia will now have to try to replicate their success throughout the season without Embiid, as the 76ers are now 12-5 without their superstar center after a Game 4 win over the Nets.
Both Rivers and Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Philadelphia would play faster and spread the floor more by sidelining Embiid.
