CAMDEN, N.J.–As the Philadelphia 76ers got back to work at practice on Tuesday, there is still a lot up in the air for them. For one, they have yet to know their Round 2 opponent, and secondly, they don’t know the status of their star big man.
Joel Embiid, who missed the team’s Game 4 win over the Brooklyn Nets to complete the Round 1 sweep, is dealing with a right LCL sprain. There are reports that the Sixers expect him to be on the floor for Game 1 of Round 2, but at what capacity remains to be seen. Either way, it doesn’t look like the big fella will be at 100% when Philadelphia takes the floor for the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Coach Doc Rivers provided an update on his recovery as the Sixers prepare to move forward.
“There really isn’t any update yet,” said Rivers. “Other than the one we gave y’all a couple days ago, we won’t know anything for at least another couple days probably for us to move forward.”
In terms of what Embiid was able to do at practice on Tuesday, Rivers stated that there wasn’t anything he was able to do.
“Nothing,” he said succinctly. “Today (Tuesday), he watched film.”
Rivers also added that he isn’t sure if Embiid will be ready for Game 1. To be fair, that isn’t on his mind as he prepares for the next round.
“Not right now,” Rivers continued. “I’m not worried. I’m not thinking about it. I’m thinking about just us. Preparing us. Obviously, in a day or two, when we learn more—but I’m not gonna worry about something I don’t know what it’s gonna be yet. We got a lot of guys to prepare for the next round.”
Clearly, the status of Embiid is going to be the talking point and the focus throughout the week. Whether the big fella plays in Game 1 remains to be seen.
“I just don’t know the answer,” the coach finished. “I’m not gonna give an answer that I don’t know yet.”
A likely matchup with the Boston Celtics is looming and the Sixers are going to need their MVP frontrunner to be at his very best in order to have a chance against the Cs.
[lawrence-related id=79048,78997,79007]