Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers says he is unsure whether star center Joel Embiid will be ready for the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Rivers, speaking after Saturday’s series clinching win over the Brooklyn Nets, said Embiid, who missed the game with a sprained right knee, is “probably 50 percent, at best” to be ready for the start of the next round of the playoffs which will likely begin next weekend.
Embiid suffered the injury early in the third quarter of Game 3 on Thursday, when he landed awkwardly after trying to contest a drive by Nets forward Cam Johnson. Embiid remained in the game and made a game-saving block on a drive by Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie in the closing seconds to preserve the win, after which Rivers said swelling and pain behind the knee prompted an MRI.
ESPN Sources with @Ramonashelburne: An MRI revealed Sixers star Joel Embiid suffered a sprained right knee and will miss Game 4 vs. Brooklyn on Saturday. There’s optimism he could be ready to return as soon as early next week. pic.twitter.com/Btwm3ls8Vh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2023
Doc Rivers says Joel Embiid’s MRI did not turn out well, per @erikslater_ pic.twitter.com/myfxfpycK4
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 22, 2023