The Sixers have provided an official update on Joel Embiid‘s status, announcing (via Twitter) that an MRI on the big man’s injured right knee revealed a small lateral meniscus tear.
Embiid will be sidelined for Game 5 on Wednesday, according to the Sixers. However, the club has yet to rule him out beyond that, stating that he’ll be considered day-to-day going forward. His injury will be managed with a physical therapy and treatment program.
While it’s good news that Embiid doesn’t have a more serious injury, any level of meniscus tear is worrisome, so it’s hardly a best-case scenario for the 76ers.
Multiple treatment options are available for meniscus injuries, including surgery, but it sounds like the club will opt not to have its All-Star center go under the knife, since that would result in an absence of at least multiple weeks, if not months.
Even with no surgery, I wouldn’t count on Embiid necessarily being ready to return within the next few days. Managing swelling and pain in his right knee will play a significant part in how soon he’s able to play again, notes ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
With Embiid unavailable, the Sixers figure to lean more heavily on frontcourt players like Dwight Howard and Mike Scott in Game 5 on Wednesday. Philadelphia has a 3-1 lead and can close out its first-round series with a win over the Wizards.
Geez, tough blow for Morey and co.; Wishing a speedy recovery.
So we will win our first round series the same day our season ends. Irony.
I need a drink.
Without Embiid, could the Wizards possibly come back from a 3-0 deficit? Their weakness is clearly in the front court. Without Embiid there, I would rate the Westbrook/Beal pairing ahead of the Simmons/Harris duo. Philly will probably still win, but their fans should be relieved that this didn’t happen a couple games earlier.
If the Wizards are smart and really attack the basket, I could see them winning another game or two. But it’s a tall order for them to win three of them.
Trust the process…..To get injured.
Joel “The process in Street Clothes” Embiid
well that just made the series more interesting. first team to come back from 3-0?
Without Embiid
Without Two starters on Bryant and Advija
And 6th man Bertans
There is zero chance Wizards will beat 76ers
Hawks in 5
8th seed Grizzlies are better than Hawks
Time for Simmons to step up. You want your team, you got it.
What’s he gonna do? Learn to shoot the ball overnight?
Yes he will work with Kenny The Jet Smith and at his basketball camp and learn to shoot 2 and 3 pointers.
IMO
Hawks have 95% chance to play Conference Finals
Nets 52%
Bucks 48%
Lakers 35%
Thank you, statbot.
35%? Their chances of beating Phoenix are far less than that.
Even then the Lakers would have to beat either Denver or Portland, and unless AD miraculously recovers they’re not reaching the WCF.
Doesn’t matter, now that Brooklyn is trying they’re gonna win the east anyway.
Only competition currently is on the other side of the bracket.
I would not count out the bucks against the nets . Their team is tough and will put up a hell of a fight .
smh
Another fake series. NBA desperately needs revenue after shortening last season and declining viewership are you surprised? Holding embiid out a couple game = more dollars. The same could be said for lakers holding out Davis for 1 and half games low and behold down 2-3
I know dude…they’re all fake, they’ve always been fake. Nothing is real bro.
Nothing is real….and nothing to get hung about
Yeah holding out Embiid works for NBA. Tats the sometimes Laker fan is now the NBA denier. Why even talk ball dude. MLB is on.
Did you know that when you go to sleep the rest of us spend all our time conspiring against you? The entire world is nothing but a conspiracy against you. I really shouldn’t say anything more because I am likely to be kil
I am pretty sure Embiid is a lizard.
Brooks Lopez is going to be a problem for the Nets along with Portis and Giannis
in the frontcourt.
Embiid can play thru that injury. But it could hamper him. Just rest him for next series. Too bad I had high hopes for Sixers. Not going to Finals without Embiid .
Call me crazy, but I’m not so sure the Sixers aren’t just as dangerous without Embid…they’ll miss his size, but they can put another shooter on the floor now and give Simmons permission to work the paint.
I’m not saying Simmons > Embid – or that the 76ers will go as far without Embid – but it’s not like Simmons + shooting is a bad combo. They’ve done well with that in the regular season.
I do not see it. Without Embiid this season they were VERY beatable.
If you read about meniscus tears this appears to be weeks thing and not a days thing. Philly is in jeopardy. Playing small ball could neutralize Capela or he might average 20 boards a game.