The Philadelphia 76ers were riding high heading into their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, but things can change quickly in the NBA, and that is certainly true for this team. After suffering a 39-point defeat in Game 1 vs. the Knicks, the Sixers were forced to rule out superstar center Joel Embiid for Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon.
Embiid made a remarkable return from an emergency appendectomy in Philly’s first-round series against the Boston Celtics, and he eventually led them past his longtime rival in seven games. Now, though, Embiid is dealing with hip and ankle injuries, and as if his absence in Game 2 wasn’t bad enough, it sounds like he may be forced to miss more time beyond this contest.
Joel Embiid’s Status Beyond Game 2 ‘Uncertain’
Throughout his career, Embiid’s lack of availability has consistently destroyed whatever title hopes the 76ers may have, and it seemed like that was going to be the case once again this year. Despite being a Play-In team, the Sixers were hopeful that, if they could keep everyone on the court, they could make some noise in the playoffs. Embiid’s aforementioned appendectomy seemed to ruin that train of thought, though.
Instead, Embiid got himself back on the court for the final four games of the team’s first-round series, and he carried Philadelphia to an unexpected series victory (28 PPG, 9 RPG, 7 APG, 44.3 FG%). With Tyrese Maxey starring alongside him, and both Paul George and VJ Edgecombe playing well in supporting roles, the 76ers suddenly appeared to be a real threat in the Eastern Conference.
Philly was promptly blown out in Game 1, but it was also torched by Boston in Game 4, which was Embiid’s first game back on the floor. Any reason for hope in Game 2 was quickly dashed when it was revealed Embiid wouldn’t be suiting up for this one, but in what may be an even more worrying update, his status beyond Game 2 is “uncertain.”
“He is out tonight. His status is uncertain moving forward,” NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported on “SportsCenter.”
76ers May Be in Trouble Without Joel Embiid
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid looks on. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The 76ers did well to adapt against the Celtics in their first-round series, but head coach Nick Nurse obviously benefited greatly from getting Embiid back. This time around, he’s going to have to game-plan around his absence, which is obviously easier said than done. And considering how overmatched Philadelphia appeared to be in Game 1, this team is going to have its work cut out for it moving forward.
Missing Game 2 isn’t necessarily the end of the world, assuming Embiid can return and play better than he did in Game 1. If he has to miss more time beyond this contest, though, Philly may struggle to keep this series competitive. Maxey and company will try to put up a fight against the Knicks in Game 2 on Wednesday night, but it’s looking increasingly likely that the Sixers will be returning home in a 0-2 deficit.
76ers Receive More Worrying Joel Embiid Injury News