The Philadelphia 76ers expect Joel Embiid to be available for Game 2 against the New York Knicks, but the team’s first injury report for the matchup added a new detail to monitor.
Embiid is listed as probable with a right ankle sprain for Wednesday’s Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, according to the NBA’s official 5 p.m. ET injury report on May 5. Tyrese Maxey is listed as available with a right finger tendon strain/splint.
That matters because Embiid’s Game 1 designation was different. The NBA’s official injury reports for May 3 and May 4 listed Embiid as probable with a right hip contusion before Philadelphia’s 137-98 loss to New York, not with an ankle injury.
Joel Embiid is Listed on the 76ers’ First Injury Report as Probable With an Ankle Sprain
The probable designation is good news for Philadelphia in the simplest sense: the 76ers are not signaling that Embiid is in danger of missing Game 2.
But the injury description is still notable. Embiid was listed on the Game 2 report with a “Right Ankle; Sprain,” one day after being listed for Game 1 with a right hip contusion.
PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson noted that this is Embiid’s third different injury designation in three games, moving from post-appendectomy surgery recovery to a right hip contusion and now to a right ankle sprain. Aaronson also reported that Embiid had right ankle injury listings during the winter, with the first mention on Dec. 27 and the most recent before this one on Feb. 3.
So the ankle designation does not necessarily mean Embiid suffered a brand-new injury in Game 1. But it is new compared with the official Game 1 reports, and it adds another physical variable for a 76ers team that already looked a step behind New York in the opener.
Joel Embiid Stats In Game 1
Embiid’s Game 1 production was well below his usual standard.
The 76ers center finished with 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting in the 137-98 loss. Embiid had 14 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 13 and did not make his first basket until the second quarter.
The broader problem for Philadelphia was not just Embiid’s scoring. The Knicks repeatedly attacked the 76ers in pick-and-roll actions, and NBA.com’s John Schuhmann wrote that New York’s six straight scoring possessions in a first-quarter sequence all came directly from Jalen Brunson-Mitchell Robinson pick-and-rolls. Schuhmann also noted that Brunson later got Embiid switched onto him during a second-quarter stretch and punished the matchup.
That is the Game 2 issue for the Sixers. Embiid can be technically available and still not be physically sharp enough to control the game the way Philadelphia needs him to. The 76ers do not just need him on the floor; they need him moving well enough to anchor the defense, survive in space and punish New York on the other end.
During the regular season, Embiid averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field.
That version of Embiid changes the series. The Game 1 version leaves Philadelphia in trouble.
Sixers-Knicks Game 2 Comes With Nick Nurse Also Returning From Family Funeral
The Knicks lead the series 1-0 after their 39-point Game 1 win. NBA.com described it as New York’s fourth straight blowout victory, with the Knicks taking control late in the first quarter and leading by 23 at halftime. Brunson scored 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting, while OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns combined to shoot 21-of-29 from the field.
The 76ers are also navigating a personal situation with head coach Nick Nurse. The Associated Press reported that Nurse was away from the team Tuesday to attend the funeral of his brother, Steve Nurse, who died unexpectedly last week. Nurse is expected to rejoin the team for Game 2 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. ET in New York. The game will air on ESPN and stream through the ESPN app, according to The Sporting News’ series schedule.
For Philadelphia, the stakes are obvious. A probable listing for Embiid is better than a questionable or doubtful tag, but the injury description still bears watching. The Sixers were already trying to solve Brunson, New York’s pace and their own offensive rhythm after a lopsided opener.
Now they need Embiid to play through another listed issue — and look much closer to his regular-season self — before the series shifts back to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers Announce Joel Embiid Injury News Before Knicks Game 2