The Philadelphia 76ers still rely on Joel Embiid. He is still their best player when he is healthy and playing. Of course, Embiid has a long history of being hurt. This season, he played just 38 games for Philly after playing only 19 last season.
Embiid was the hero of Game 7 for the 76ers against Boston in the first round. He finished that game with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists en route to a victory. In Game 1 against the Knicks in the second round, he was much less effective.
Ahead of a critical Game 2 in New York, the Sixers have received some devastating news regarding his health.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dribbles the ball in a game against the Knicks. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
76ers Joel Embiid Ruled Out for Game 2 vs. Knicks
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 76ers have ruled Embiid out for Game 2 against the Knicks. Embiid is suffering from hip and ankle injuries that will keep him out of this game. Embiid was not able to participate in shootaround ahead of Game 2.
Charania notes that Embiid has been receiving round-the-clock treatment in order to be able to play in this game. He will now sit out and hope that his teammates can get a road win. In the first round against the Celtics, Embiid missed the first two games of the series.
Without Embiid in the playoffs, the 76ers are just 1-2. That is how they fell into the 3-1 hole to Boston in the last round. Without Embiid available, Philadelphia will move Andre Drummond into the starting lineup. He will be the center they rely on for this game.
With Embiid out, Tyrese Maxey will have more pressure on him to perform. In Game 1 against the Knicks, he played his worst playoff game so far. He had just 13 points on 3-9 shooting. He will need to be much more aggressive in Game 2 in order to get a win.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid looks on. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Philadelphia needs Joel Embiid to Return Quickly
Without Embiid in the lineup, the 76ers become a much easier team to defend offensively. He is able to create mismatches and dominate in the paint when he is healthy. Without him on the court, they don’t have a center who can effectively stretch the court.
Drummond is a capable corner 3-point shooter, but he only made 35.6 percent of his outside shots this season on low volume. Getting Embiid back into the lineup also prevents New York from being able to load up on Maxey, who is now clearly the best player they have. In the playoffs, Philly has the ninth-best offense out of 16 teams.
A loss in Game 2 would put the Sixers in a 0-2 hole, which would be hard to climb out of. It’s unclear when or if Embiid will be healthy enough to return to this series. He has been banged around quite a bit since returning to the lineup against Boston.
Embiid will continue to get as much treatment as he can in an attempt to return to the court.
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