Joel Embiid is dealing with a knee injury as the Philadelphia 76ers await the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and it sounds like he may have to play through discomfort for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported on Monday that Embiid suffered a sprained LCL in Game 3 of Philly’s series against the Brooklyn Nets. Shelburne said Embiid has been improving since he sat out Game 4 and that the injury is not serious but is “going to hurt.”
John Clark of NBC10 in Philadelphia added on Tuesday that Embiid may have to wear a knee brace when he returns to the court.
Source confirms Joel Embiid has a sprained LCL. He may have to wear a brace for the knee when he returns. There is some hope that he can play towards the beginning of the Sixers second round series but he will be playing through a knee injury@ramonashelburne was first pic.twitter.com/JxirjN0vjA
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 25, 2023
All indications are that Embiid will play in the next round. The Sixers will likely face the Boston Celtics, who have a 3-1 series lead over the Atlanta Hawks heading into Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The big question is whether the knee injury will impact Embiid’s play. Doc Rivers offered some concerning comments about it after Game 4, so it is fair to wonder if Embiid will be something other than his dominant self in a series where his best will be needed.
