After going 0-for-12 from the field in the second half of the Sixers‘ Game 4 loss to Atlanta on Monday, star center Joel Embiid admitted that the partially torn meniscus in his right knee is bothering him to some extent. That injury is limiting Embiid’s athleticism, which was an issue in particular on a last-minute layup attempt that would’ve tied the game, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“Great look. I just didn’t have the lift,” Embiid said. “… Usually, I would go up, especially for a bucket like that, try to dunk it. Try to get fouled and get an and-1. But … not being able to jump for obvious reasons. … It’s tough.”
Embiid didn’t show many ill effects of that knee injury in the first three games of the series, averaging 35.3 PPG and 10.3 RPG on .533/.364/.809 shooting. In Game 4, he put up 17 points and 21 rebounds, but was just 4-of-20 on field goal attempts. After the game, he said he doesn’t expect to be 100% healthy until next season, as Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The Raptors may be losing another assistant, with reports suggesting that Sergio Scariolo will become the new head coach of Virtus Bologna in Italy. Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca tweets that nothing has been finalized yet, but confirms that Scariolo has had discussions with the Italian club. If Scariolo departs, he’d be the third top Raptors assistant to leave the team within the last year, joining Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Finch.
- Nekias Duncan of BasketballNews.com considers some potential landing spots that would make sense for Kemba Walker if the Celtics trade him this offseason. Report last week suggested there’s a growing sense that Walker could be moved.
- Mike Vorkunov and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic take a deep dive into the Knicks‘ offseason, exploring the team’s primary goals, its cap situation, and the prospects that might be the best fits at Nos. 19 and 21 in the draft.
According to basketball news, dealing Walker to Knicks or Mavs
Walker for Kevin Knox and a 2nd? Lol that seems pretty light but okay.
True but if Boston tries to trade him to a team that can’t absorb him into their cap space then they’ll probably have to cough up a 1st. Just being able to get him off the books is probably a win at this point.
Walker for Knox and a second deal
It would downgrade the Celtics – bad trade for Celtics
It would eat up Knicks all cap room, bad trade for Knicks
If Boston is going for a pure salary dump, that kind of fits. Not sure it’s a good use of the Knicks cap space, but it would be a PG upgrade for them.
Two years ago, Knicks targeted Healthy Durant, Davis and Zion
Knicks don’t want Walker
Knicks would take Donovan Michell
Who wouldn’t take Donovan Mitchell?
Kemba makes sense for the Knicks, they’ve got the cap space and shouldn’t have to send out any real positive assets. Watching the playoff series it’s obvious the Knicks need multiple shooters and more guys capable of handling the ball. Rose is a great bench piece but can’t get overworked again. Kevin Huerter would also be a good piece as a restricted free agent. With all the draft picks they might aim higher though.
As a last resort I wouldn’t object. Because he’s a dice roll this season but next summer he’ll be an expiring, which could come in hand if NYK ends up trying to do acquire a star via S/T.
So in that way I’d almost prefer having a year of overpriced Kemba than signing someone like Schroeder or Dinwiddie to a long term deal, using LT cap room, then not being able to move their contracts next summer when player X decides to request a trade.
Couldn’t have said it better, bholesurfer69.
If Embiid makes the layup, there’s no mention of the knee or having “no lift”. He just missed you he layup. At 7’2, and tremendously skilled, you really don’t need “lift” to make a point blank layup. Ball went OVER the rim, not barely getting rim level.
LeBron had the exact same problem when his team lost to Phoenix.
Whoever ends up winning will be the result of which team stays healthy.
Yeah… Absolutely! Anthony Davis’ injury was insignificant!
*sarcasm
Lol you couldn’t see he was clearly having problems throughout the game? They were mentioning his health in the 2nd quarter
Fatigue… out of shape. The knee certainly doesn’t help. He didn’t miss that layup because of his knee is all Im saying.
Respect your opinion, but not debating… sorry.
It does happen usually when you are wrong you don’t really wanna debate, we got you pal!
Because we could debate the same thing literally for days… can’t be wrong in hypothetical situations. You probably don’t understand that tho, La Don.
If you wanna debate, latch on to another thread.
I can’t believe that Embiid is not risking a bigger injury by playing with a torn ligament! I know the injury is slight but he is a big dude putting a lot of lbs per square inch on the ligament. Should be a great game 5 between ATL and PHI though.
As a Sixers die hard I’m horrified by the fact he is playing when this is the same situation that ended Bynum’s career. Partially torn meniscus in the ’10 playoffs. Played on it then got surgery. And was never the same.
Great rest of the series is determined by Embiid and his knee. If it’s game 2-4 Embiid the series is over in 6 pretty easily. He went 4-20 last night and they barely beat us. If any of our guys have marginally better nights we win by a couple.
SIXERS supposedly has a 2nd superstar.
I’ve always known that Ben Simmons will cost his team, a playoff game or worst, a playoff series, given his lack of a jumper. He doesn’t make (or miss) them, since he doesn’t even try.
FT’s, there has always been bad FT shooters in the NBA, but Ben Simmons is probably the only one I ever saw who’s face showed fear and dread when he’s on that FT line. He looks like he’s going to pass out due to breathing problems or something.
Bad percentages aside, Giannis looks determined and committed when shooting FT’s or jumpers. Heck, he knows people are counting ten when he’s making FT’s, yet he sticks to his routine and form, looking determined to follow what he does in practice.
SIXERS still favored over the HAWKS though. HAWKS are running and playing on heart (and timely shooting).
You can’t win 2nd and 3rd playoff rounds playing 4v5 on offense. Deep into the playoffs, opponents are tough enough with you playing 5 on 5!
What if the Lakers sign and trade Schroder + for Walker?
LA could send KCP and a Boston 2nd rounder to a third team.
Celtics get Schroder, Lakers get Kemba, and 3rd team takes KCP, and Bos 2nd rounder.
Ainge would never do that deal with the Lakers, but Stevens might.
I think LAL would nix that for maybe a few reasons, but one definite reason is Kemba’s health.
If they’re going to invest that kind of money in a third guy it’s gotta be someone that they know will be on the floor. AD is injury prone historically, and Bron has shown some actual wear and tear since coming to LA.
Great points, I think you’re right.
Not a great fit for LA, healthy guys should be their focus.
Kemba has negative market value. It’s rare to see any team pay more than market value (regardless of their particular situation and the player’s fit).
Assuming Rose is willing to acquire him at all (I wouldn’t), there’s virtually nothing the Celtics could offer the Knicks other than a couple of (future) 1st round picks that would justify taking Kemba into cap space. The space for his contract alone (for 1 year) prices at 2 1st round picks. Kemba has two years and over 73 mm total on his deal. Knox doesn’t make nearly enough to be a bad contract. No need to compel Boston to take him.
Absolutely right!
Bledsoe and Adam’s for Kemba would fix an issue for both teams.
The 76ers have pulled off one of the greatest choke jobs ever. Time to make major changes.
Simmons needs to go !
Blowing a 26-point lead and giving up a 15-0 run late in the game is almost as bad as missing 27 consecutive three-pointers like the Rockets did.