Star big man Joel Embiid is listed as “Probable” on the injury report for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
However, the 2023 NBA MVP is widely expected to play in the series opener.
“He’s not on the injury report [listed as probable], so that tells me they are pretty confident that he’s going to play,” ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill told “Get Up” on Monday.
Goodwill added that it was a great sign for the 76ers that Embiid was not listed as questionable, as was the case in nearly every game of the first-round series against the Boston Celtics after the 7-footer returned from his appendectomy.
Joel Embiid ‘Still Recovering’
That said, Goodwill is still concerned about Embiid’s ability to play a maximum of seven games in the span of 14 days against the Knicks.
“How effective is he going to be?” Goodwill asked, highlighting that the Sixers will play every other day against the Knicks after a more relaxed schedule in the first round.
“He’s still recovering,” Goodwill said of Embiid, who underwent an appendectomy on April 9. “Let’s hold our horses before saying that Embiid is going to be the MVP version of himself, because he’s still recovering.”
Emiid, who played just 38 regular-season games, proved to be a difference maker for the 76ers against the Celtics. The Cameroonian averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists from 35.7 minutes in the final three games of the series as the Sixers overcame a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in franchise history. In Game 7, he dropped 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists and was a +11 on the floor.
Knicks vs. 76ers Game 1
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and star wing Jaylen Brown both acknowledged that Embiid’s return in Game 4 flipped the series on its head.
The Knicks will surely have their hands full trying to stop Embiid, who averaged 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists the last time they faced off in the playoffs. That 2024 series ended favorably for the Knicks, who prevailed 4-2, but a lot has changed since the last meeting between the Atlantic Division rivals. For one, the 76ers are a lot more athletic on the wings with the additions of Paul George and VJ Edgecombe. Furthermore, Tyrese Maxey has ascended into a superstar in the last two years.
Jalen Brunson and Co. open the series as -260 favorites to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second consecutive year. ESPN’s panel of experts is also overwhelmingly siding with the Knicks, with six of the eight voters picking them to win.
Tim Bontemps is picking the Knicks because he doesn’t trust Embiid to stay healthy.
“If this series goes at least six games, which feels likely, Philadelphia will have played 11 games in 21 days, and playing six guys heavy minutes could cause some wear and tear,” wrote the ESPN insider, while picking the Knicks to win out in six games.
Knicks vs. 76ers Game 1 tips off at 7 at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.
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