Joel Embiid has been pretty close to perfect in these playoffs so far. Through the first round, and leading into Game 4 against Atlanta, he was dominating the competition, which is a huge reason why the team stands just 2 wins away from an Eastern Conference Finals berth.
Unfortunately for Embiid and the Sixers, the tail end of Monday’s Game 4 was probably his worst stretch of the postseason so far.
Somehow, he went 0-12 from the field, which included a layup attempt that would have won the game.
Embiid is 0-12 in the 2nd half! pic.twitter.com/u87CH9TZoR
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 15, 2021
It was arguably even worse for Embiid on Twitter, as he got absolutely flamed by fans for his rather putrid performance…
https://twitter.com/Pauldrizz/status/1404626186886651904
Joel Embiid in the second half vs Hawks tonight pic.twitter.com/disHIgOXkc
— maxey and spider man‼️ (@reesesmaxey) June 15, 2021
Embiid 0/12 in the second half?? pic.twitter.com/o4xeYBkM6W
— Cuzz Lightyear (@cuzzzy21) June 15, 2021
Joel Embiid misses a crucial layup and is 0-12 in the 2nd half.
Nikola Jokic: pic.twitter.com/J7BVtEm7Ig
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 15, 2021
Joel Embiid if he wasnt 7 feet tall
https://t.co/laeu8NBvQ9
— MOSAWORLD2 (@1RayyBlank) June 15, 2021
Embiid when Adam Silver removes fouls on contact searching pic.twitter.com/KHyVzeOJAo
— Andy🇳🇴 (@1886BKNETS) June 15, 2021
Ben Simmons looking at Joel Embiid in the Sixers locker room pic.twitter.com/DhmailFnPi
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 15, 2021
Joel Embiid is 7ft tall and is 0/12 in the second half of a postseason game. pic.twitter.com/HUT63PEYLj
— Colb (@___Colb___) June 15, 2021
After a horrible John Collins turnover, Joel Embiid misses a layup to win the game. Embiid is 0-12 in the second half shooting 20% for the game. pic.twitter.com/2YwpElVxYB
— 24K (@GoldRush5280) June 15, 2021
How Joel Embiid about to look by the end of the playoffs:#Hawks #Sixers pic.twitter.com/XwUqxP796A
— Jay Shah (@TheJayShah3) June 15, 2021
Embiid shooting that cool 4-20 from the field in Game 4 #MyMVP pic.twitter.com/4EH6kupkmL
— Michael Crosson (@MCrosson_VI) June 15, 2021
Joel Embiid in the 2nd half pic.twitter.com/ZSUGaw83KJ
— 𝙍𝘿 (@NorthSidePace) June 15, 2021
It is worth considering that Embiid is playing with a small meniscus tear in his knee. While the injury is relatively minor and usually doesn’t take long to heal, it can be painful and uncomfortable, and Embiid has taken no time off to let the injury properly heal.
How much that impacted his performance in Game 4 is not known, but it is a huge concern going forward, especially if this series goes to a Game 7.
With the pivotal Game 5 back in Philadelphia, the Sixers will get the chance to re-take control of the series. But it won’t be easy by any stretch, especially with the health of their star player compromised.
