The Philadelphia 76ers have quite literally had a perfect postseason so far, being the only team to sweep their opponents in the opening round of the playoffs.
But things could be getting much rockier for them in the days ahead.
According to John Clark, via Jacob Moreno, there is still great uncertainty about Joel Embiid’s status and his health just days before the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
After meeting with doctor’s Joel Embiid’s status for Game One against Boston is still uncertain and may not be determined until Sunday/Monday
(via @JClarkNBCS) pic.twitter.com/7MxKBB9piO
— Jacob Moreno (@Jacobmorenonba) April 28, 2023
The Sixers put the Brooklyn Nets away on Saturday but they did so without Embiid, who missed Game 4 due to a knee injury.
According to reports, he hasn’t practiced with his team since then, even with Monday’s Game 1 of the second round looming.
Head coach Doc Rivers said the team is waiting to see about Embiid’s condition.
Embiid has been dynamic all season long and is currently a frontrunner for the league’s MVP award so there is no doubt that his presence would be sorely missed if he remains injured.
During 2022-23, he averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists a game.
Although the 76ers have multiple stars, Embiid is the biggest one.
The team’s entire offensive and defensive plan runs through Embiid so Rivers would have to change things up substantially if he was out for the long term.
This wouldn’t be Embiid’s first time missing out on playoff games.
He missed a couple of games in the second round last year and another in the first round of 2021.
The good news is that the series between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks ran to six games, giving Embiid even more time to rest.
But now that the Celtics have prevailed, the 76ers are ready to have Embiid back.
NEXT:
Fans React To Today’s Joel Embiid Injury Update
