Tim BontempsESPN6:06 PM ET2 Minute Read
The Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series despite missing NBA MVP finalist Joel Embiid with an LCL sprain in his right knee.
The Sixers clinched the 119-115 win on the road behind 45 points by James Harden.
There is optimism regarding Embiid’s potential availability for Game 2 on Wednesday, 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. Starting in Embiid’s place at center, Paul Reed had 10 points and 13 rebounds and hit big free throws on the stretch to seal the win.
Embiid suffered a knee injury when he landed awkwardly 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. But the Sixers continued their winning streak in Embiid’s absence, improving to 13-5 this season without their superstar.