Joel Embiid's Injury Timetable Won't Be Impacted By 76ers' Game 1 Win, Rivers Says

The Philadelphia 76ers shocked the Boson Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday, winning 119-115 without MVP favorite Joel Embiid. On Tuesday, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that the center's availability for Wednesday's Game 2 wouldn't be dictated by that result.

"It's just health-based," he said. "If he can play, he plays. If he can't, he can't. And if it's 50-50, we would probably err on other side [and not have him play], because we've done that all year."

Rivers added that the status on Embiid's LCL sprain in his right knee hasn't changed, but that he was working out with the team Monday, calling that a "step forward."

"That's the whole key," Rivers said. "That's why we're doing it, because you have to do it the day before to see if the next day, if there's increased swelling, then even if he feels good, it's a no. So that's what we'll find out tomorrow."

The 29-year-old Embiid had his best season in 2022-23, averaging a career-high and NBA-leading 33.1 points per game to go along with 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and a steal per game. He shot a career-high 54.8 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from three.

That made his absence a major concern heading into Game 1, although James Harden's 45 points and Paul Reed's admirable effort replacing Embiid (10 points, 13 boards) helped push the Sixers to a surprising victory over the heavily favored Celtics.

"That's the difference between this year's team and last year's team. We have a bunch of street fighters," Rivers told reporters after the game. "If we could get to the fourth quarter, we were going to win the game. That's how we felt."

How sustainable that success is without Embiid is another question entirely, however. His impact on both ends is key to the Sixers' success as they finally look to finally get past the second round after failing to do so in recent seasons.

The Celtics won't be taking the Sixers lightly if Embiid can't go in Game 2.

"We got to just win," Rivers told reporters. "I don't think about Game 1. That's over. At least for me. "We got to focus on tomorrow. ... We just got to be ready, and got to believe they're going to play better. I expect [Boston] to play great."