All-Star center Joel Embiid will miss Game 5 of the 76ers’ playoff series vs. the Wizards on Wednesday after an MRI revealed a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, the team announced.
Embiid suffered the injury in the first quarter of Game 4, a Sixers loss. Philadelphia leads the series, 3-1.
Embiid will undergo physical therapy and a treatment program, and the team is listing him as day-to-day.
A leading candidate for NBA MVP, Embiid averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds during the regular season, as the 76ers earned the No,. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He is averaging 24.0 points and 6.8 boards in the playoffs.
Dwight Howard serves as the primary backup to Embiid, with power forward Mike Scott occasionally also filling the role.
Meniscus tears generally require surgery, and while the Sixers seemingly intend to avoid that for the time being, the feeling around the league is that Embiid could be out for several weeks.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
