Sixers’ Joel Embiid Likely to Remain Out for Game 2 vs. Celtics

It didn’t seem to hurt the 76ers that star center Joel Embiid missed Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series vs. the Celtics.

After all, the Sixers won on the road behind 45 points from James Harden, as we wrote about here.

That’s the good news for Philadelphia. The bad is Embiid’s knee sprain is expected to keep him out for Game 2 on Wednesday as well.

Coach Doc Rivers delivered the news on Tuesday, via Jack Maloney of CBS Sports.

Embiid did do some light work on Tuesday, but not enough to make the Sixers think he will be able to play, as relayed by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

#Sixers center Joel Embiid will do some skeleton work today. He’s still listed as doubtful for Game 2 vs. the Boston Celtics tomorrow at TD Garden.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 2, 2023

Embiid sustained the knee injury in Game 3 of the first-round series vs. the Nets. He finished that game but missed the next, which the Sixers won for a first-round sweep.

So, yes, the 76ers are undefeated in the playoffs.

Anyway, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Embiid could wear a knee brace when he does return.

An NBA MVP finalist, Embiid averaged a league-high 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. That included averages of a whopping 36.8 points and 11.8 rebounds against the Celtics.