Tim BontempsESPN11:06 PM BST2 Minute Read
The Philadelphia 76ers have ruled out NBA MVP finalist Joel Embiid for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series due to an LCL sprain in his right knee.
There is optimism regarding Embiid’s potential availability for Game 2, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“He’s out today,” said 76ers coach Doc Rivers about 90 minutes before the tip, “and we’ll see how it goes.”
Rivers said Embiid shot some after his shootaround, but he hasn’t walked yet. He was also seen taking shots after the team’s practice on Sunday.
When asked what Embiid will need to get back on the pitch, Rivers said it will just be a matter of doctors telling him he will be available to play.
Embiid suffered the injury when he landed unluckily after failing on March 20.
Philadelphia won Game 4 to close the Nets two days later, with Rivers saying Embiid would be “probably less than 50 percent” ready to go to the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals after that game.
The 76ers got a few extra rest days when the Atlanta Hawks extended their first-round series with the Celtics to six games and moved the start of the series to Monday instead of Saturday.
Ultimately, however, it wasn’t enough for Embiid to get on the pitch. Philadelphia must now look to repeat their all-season success without Embiid as the 76ers are now 12-5 without their superstar center after defeating the nets in Game 4.
Both Rivers and Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Philadelphia will play faster and spread the floor more if Embiid is sidelined.