The Philadelphia 76ers continue to play the waiting game to see about the status of star big man Joel Embiid. The big fella is still listed as doubtful for Monday’s Game 1 against the Boston Celtics and the Sixers are going to have to try to steal a game on the road without the MVP front-runner.
Embiid was diagnosed with a sprained LCL he suffered on April 21 during the first round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets. He has been progressing in his recovery, but he hasn’t been able to run. That’s obviously something he has to overcome.
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Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Embiid is unlikely to play in Monday’s Game 1, but there is optimism for Game 2 on Wednesday:
I’m told that Joel Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 against the Celtics tonight in Boston. He did get on the floor today at the Sixers shootaround and then worked out afterward. He was able to move better. There has been improvement, and I’m told there is optimism that Joel Embiid could make his return for Game 2 on Wednesday, but the Sixers are preparing to be without him tonight in Game 1 with that sprained knee.
.@wojespn is told Joel Embiid is "unlikely to play" in Game 1 against the Celtics: pic.twitter.com/DL3v5yrn4B
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2023
Until Embiid can return, the Sixers will have to be able to dig deep and overcome the adversity they are facing in order to get the job done against a very talented and experienced Celtics team.
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