Dave Litman
The Philadelphia 76ers already have their hands full with the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Now we’ve learned that they’ll have to face them without Joel Embiid for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Soreness in his ankle and hip will keep the big man out of tonight’s game. He was unable to participate in the team’s morning shootaround. As Shams Charania noted, Embiid “had been receiving around-the-clock treatment in efforts to play.”
The Knicks ran roughshod over Philly in Game 1, with a 137-98 thumping—even with Embiid in the lineup. New York held the former league MVP to just 3-of-11 shooting for 14 points and just four rebounds. He had averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists over the four games he played against the Boston Celtics in the first round, leading the Sixers to that series victory in seven games.
Embiid was still recovering from an emergency appendectomy near the end of the regular season, causing him to miss the first three games of the Boston series.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse expected to return for Game 2
Meanwhile, head coach Nick Nurse is expected to be on the sidelines for Game 2, after leaving the team under tragic circumstances following Game 1. He attended the funeral of his brother, Steve, who was 62. His death was unexpected.
Heavy hearts around the Sixers as they head into Game 2 Wednesday night.
