Joel Embiid was hurt, but the Sixers still prevailed over the Nets in the absence of James Harden. They are up 3-0 in the postseason first round series.
A league source confirmed that Joel Embiid would miss Saturday’s Game 4 at the Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets due to a sprained right knee.
The injury occurred during Thursday’s 102-97 Game 3 victory for the 76ers center. It’s possible that Embiid’s injury occurred during the third-quarter collision between him and Nets player Cam Johnson beneath the basket.
The six-time All-Star limped up the floor, clearly in discomfort. He did, however, stay in the game and finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 5 steals.
The sprain was discovered during an MRI on Friday in Philadelphia. The Sixers are hopeful that Embiid will be prepared to play as early as the next week.
With a win on Saturday, the Sixers, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-0, will wrap it up. After defeating the Nets in the predicted series, they would take on the victor of the Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks series.
The Celtics led the Hawks 2-0 in the series going into Friday’s Game 3 encounter. Boston may play the Sixers as early as Thursday if they triumph on Friday and Sunday.
The first to disclose Embiid’s absence from Saturday’s game was ESPN.
Doc Rivers: “That’s what they came up with?” in reference to James Harden’s expulsion.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers spoke his opinions with media on Friday regarding the officials’ choice to dismiss James Harden after he committed a flagrant foul on game night.
“The reason James was dismissed, in my opinion, is that Secaucus had three officials and at least one or two guys.” And that’s the solution they arrived at? stated Rivers. “That one, I just can’t get.”
Although Rivers believes that neither Harden nor Joel Embiid will receive an NBA suspension, he said that the club would be prepared to play in any case.
