Report: 76ers' Joel Embiid Questionable for Game 1 vs. Hawks Because of Knee Injury

The Philadelphia 76ers will wait to see if Joel Embiid can play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Embiid will officially be listed as questionable and go through a pregame workout and treatment to determine if he will be available. 

The Sixers announced Wednesday that Embiid has a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. He suffered the injury during Game 4 of the first-round series against the Washington Wizards on May 31. 

Head coach Doc Rivers was coy when he spoke about the possibility of Embiid being able to play through the injury. 

"I have no expectation other than I hope for him to be back," Rivers told reporters Wednesday. "I can't give you a timeline. I can just tell you he's willing to go through whatever it takes to get back on the floor. He's a warrior. And if there's a way for him to get back on the floor, he will find his way."

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, being able to manage swelling and pain in the knee will "play a significant part" in how soon Embiid is able to return. 

The Sixers were able to close out the Wizards 129-112 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. 

Embiid, who is a finalist for the NBA MVP award, has been a dominant force on both ends of the court for Philadelphia this season. The four-time All-Star averaged a career-high 28.5 points per game and shot 37.7 percent from three-point range during the regular season. 

If Embiid is unable to play, the Sixers will likely start Dwight Howard at center. 

Philadelphia will host the Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 1 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.