Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid out for Game 1 vs. Celtics

Update: Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 1 vs. Boston Celtics

Joel Embiid is listed as doubtful for the Philadelphia 76ers’ Game 1 matchup with the Boston Celtics because the team is remaining hopeful about a quick return, despite many around the team believing it would be a “miracle” if he played on Monday night.

The Philadelphia 76ers, led by Joel Embiid, were one of the best teams in the NBA all season. In a tough Eastern Conference, they earned the third seed in the playoffs and showed their dominance by being the only team to score a sweep in the opening round when they easily ousted the Brooklyn Nets from the 2023 NBA Playoffs. However, that rapid success came with a cost.

In the team’s Game 3 win, Joel Embiid went down with an injury that was eventually diagnosed as a knee sprain. It led to him being sidelined for Game 4 and for much of the team’s practice time ever since.

Now, with the second round of the postseason underway, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to face 2022 Eastern Conference champions the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their best-of-seven. But all indications are they will do so without Embiid for at least tonight.

Joel Embiid stats (’22-’23): 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 BPG, 33% 3PT

On Monday, The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania gave an update on the “serious” knee injury Embiid has and why it is unlikely he will suit up for Game 1 despite a history of playing through serious injuries the past two seasons.

“I’m told he did have PRP treatment last week in that knee. He participated in parts of practice on Sunday — which is a good step — but he has a pretty serious LCL sprain that he was diagnosed with on April 21st. It was more than a Grade-1 LCL ligament sprain.

“He’s had a propensity of playing through pain. In 2021 he plays through a torn meniscus during the playoffs. Last year he played with an orbital fracture and a torn ligament in his thumb. How much has he run up and down the floor in the last 24 hours? That is the question [and] I’m told not that much as of yesterday. I think there’s some thought around this team that it would be a miracle if he ended up showing up tonight.”
– Shams Charania

Joel Embiid is expected to be named the 2022-2023 NBA MVP this week and has averaged 20 points, 11.3 rebounds, and over two blocks per game in three playoff appearances in April.