Report: Joel Embiid's Injury Status Sounds Ominous

The Philadelphia 76ers were able to dispose of the Brooklyn Nets in a 4-game sweep, even without the services of Joel Embiid. But a second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics will not be quite as forgiving. 

And according to Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, the MVP candidate's status for the next round is not looking overly promising. 

Even with (at least) a week off, Doc Rivers estimated there’s a 50/50 chance “at best” that Joel Embiid will be ready for Game 1 of the second round.

— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) April 22, 2023

"I just don't know," Rivers said about Embiid's status for the start of the second-round about a week from now. "I would say, right now, it's probably... 50 percent, at best."

Embiid suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's Game 3 win. "From my understanding," said Doc (Rivers, not the Sixers' medical professional), "they checked his knee out right after the (third) game because he was complaining about some soreness behind the knee, which is always a scary thing to hear about with players."

The Sixers are pulling for the Atlanta Hawks to extend the Celtics a few more games, to buy an extra couple of days for Embiid to heal. 

The Philly superstar has had playoff injury troubles pretty much every year of his career; he missed two second-round games last season after suffering a right orbital fracture and concussion in the first round; he also had a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee during the 2021 playoffs. 

Embiid is on target to take home his first MVP award this season, after leading the league in scoring with 33.1 points along with 10.2 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks. 

Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports