Another year, another playoff injury for Joel Embiid. This time, it’s his knee again and the latest reports are calling it doubtful that he’ll be able to play for the opening two games against Boston.
But as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday, Embiid’s knee injury is actually worse than the grade 1 LCL sprain he was thought to have suffered.
“Sources: The knee injury 76ers star Joel Embiid suffered April 20 is considered to be more serious than a Grade 1 LCL sprain. He is currently doubtful for Game 1 vs. Boston.”
Sources: The knee injury 76ers star Joel Embiid suffered April 20 is considered to be more serious than a Grade 1 LCL sprain. He is currently doubtful for Game 1 vs. Boston.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2023
Obviously, this bit of news does not bode well for fans hoping to see Embiid return at some point soon, but he may still come back for games later in the series if he can handle the pain involved.
“As Embiid’s history of playing through injuries and pain shows, it can be fluid depending on his progress,” wrote Shams. “He has been able to do some individual spot-up shooting the past several days and will be evaluated daily.”
As Embiid’s history of playing through injuries and pain shows, it can be fluid depending on his progress. He has been able to do some individual spot-up shooting the past several days and will be evaluated daily. https://t.co/dPwOzhKYDc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2023
Embiid was having a career year before this latest development. In 66 games during the regular season, he averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 54% shooting. He followed up that play with a dominant first-round, helping the 76ers put away the Nets in just four games.
But now, with Embiid compromised for this series, some are beginning to question the future of the soon-to-be MVP.
Embiid Could Leave The 76ers This Summer
If Philadelphia suffers another early playoff exit, it could spell the end of the Embiid era for the 76ers. After years of failure and underwhelming finishes, the path to improve is not an easy one for this team, and a complete reset is possible if Joel gives the indication that he’d rather be somewhere else.
“They have not been to the conference finals in 22 years,” said Zach Lowe. “They dodged the thorny sides of the bracket in each of the last two seasons, and still crumbled in the second round. Harden can enter free agency this summer. The Sixers for now would not have cap space to replace him.”
Long story short, this era has not brought the expected results for the Sixers, and they might be open to trying something new if it doesn’t work out again.
For now, Joel is going to try his best to play through the pain and keep his season alive, but the odds are certainly stacked against him as his team prepares for a brutal matchup against the Cs.
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