There is some concern surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers just four games into the 2021-22 season. While the team is still dealing with the Ben Simmons situation, there are now some questions about just how healthy Joel Embiid is.
The big fella did not look like himself at all in Tuesday’s 112-99 loss to the New York Knicks on the road as he shot just 2-for-7 in the loss. He did end up getting to the line 11 times, making 10 of them, so he did finish with 14 points.
However, he appeared to be laboring a bit and he only took one shot in the paint which came in the third quarter. That is not Embiid-like in the slightest and it is something that should warrant a rest here and there despite him claiming that he will push through the injury.
After the game, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that one NBA personnel man did not like what he saw from Embiid’s knee:
Joel Embiid, one NBA personnel man said ‘His knee didn’t look great. Looked like he was dragging a little bit’.
We’re only four games into the season, but NYK’s win over PHI may have revealed something significant about the group. Talked about that, Tom Thibodeau’s tech & a note on Joel Embiid w/@emacSNY (**NYR fans: Eamon also has a great interview w/Mark Messier) pic.twitter.com/2REVNlagsw
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 27, 2021
“I don’t think anyone looked good,” said coach Doc Rivers after the game. “Really, I don’t think anyone looked good tonight for us. Joel, I’m sure he’s laboring a little bit. I wouldn’t know that. I wasn’t looking for that. I don’t ever do that anymore unless it’s obvious to me. I let KJ (Kevin Johnson) and Simon (Rice) and the medical staff tell me that. I never guess anymore because I’ve been wrong too many times.”
The Sixers take on the lowly Detroit Pistons on Thursday back at home and it should be a game where they sit him and allow him to rest a bit. They are off on Wednesday and Friday which would allow him to rest three days before Saturday’s home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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