Joel Embiid Injury Update, Latest on 76ers Star's Status, Return Timeline for NBA Playoffs
Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid is reportedly set to miss Game 2 of the team's second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Embiid has been ruled out for Game 2 due to ankle and hip injuries.
Charania added that the decision to hold Embiid out of Game 2 was made after he was unable to participate in the Sixers' shootaround on Wednesday morning due to increased ankle and hip soreness.
Embiid had reportedly been receiving "around-the-clock treatment" in an effort to get him healthy enough to play Wednesday.
After appearing in only 19 games last season, Embiid has been ravaged by injuries once again this season, as a knee ailment and appendicitis limited him to 38 games during the regular-season.
The 32-year-old veteran missed the first three games of the Sixers' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, but he returned for Game 4, and he was a difference-maker the rest of the way.
With Embiid in the lineup, the 76ers won three of the final four games in the series, and he averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per contest.
That included a huge effort in Game 7 when the 7-footer went off for 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes.
After the 7-seeded Sixers pulled off the first-round upset over the second-seeded Celtics, they entered the second round with a ton of confidence and belief.
However, they ran into a buzzsaw in Game 1 against the Knicks, as New York cruised to a dominant, 137-98 victory.
Embiid had his worst game of the playoffs by far as well, finishing with just 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting to go along with four rebounds and one assist.
Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reported Tuesday that Embiid was listed as probable for Game 2 against the Knicks due to a sprained right ankle, which made Wednesday's revelation of Embiid having to miss the game such a surprise.
With Embiid out, the Sixers' offensive production will fall squarely on the shoulders of guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, and forward Paul George in Game 2.
As for who will absorb Embiid's minutes in the frontcourt, look for significantly more playing time to be given to Andre Drummond, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona and a host of others.
