The Philadelphia 76ers lead their best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets 3-0, but they will be at a major disadvantage in Game 4, as Joel Embiid will be forced to sit out due to a sprained knee.
This seems to open up a window for Brooklyn to claw their way into the series and at least avert a four-game sweep.
Needless to say, fans are disappointed that the favorite for the regular season MVP award won’t be in action for at least one game.
Embiid is Embiiding.
— 🤷🏾♂️🤳🏾🔋 (@LocalCeleb_GeO4) April 22, 2023
So much for load management
— NickGPT (@nick_gpt) April 22, 2023
Dr. Evan Jeffries, a physical therapist who often comments on injuries to key NBA players, feels Embiid will miss more than one game.
Sounds like a grade I sprain which is typically 1-2 weeks healing time
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 22, 2023
Since they hold a 3-0 lead, the Sixers may be able to send Brooklyn home for the summer even without Embiid.
However, they will not do anything of note if he misses any extended time.
He had his best season yet, leading the NBA in scoring for the second year in a row, but there have always been injury concerns surrounding him, especially after multiple knee injuries over the years.
Some have criticized Embiid for being out of shape and not taking great care of his body during the offseason, but some players are simply cursed with a body that cannot hold up throughout a long season.
Assuming the Sixers get past the Nets, they will likely face the Boston Celtics, their historic arch-rivals, in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and if Embiid misses any games in that series, it could spell doom for his team.
