Joel Embiid has had an incredible season. The Sixers superstar is more than likely winning his first MVP award. However, the playoffs have become a different breed. Embiid suffered an injury during the team’s opening-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. A hard spill on the court had Embiid nursing his back until he was pulled from the game. Luckily for the Sixers, the team was able to take down the Nets in the potential MVP’s absence. However, the chances of Embiid starting the second round don’t sound promising.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski spoke about the injury during a segment on NBA Today on Monday. Here is what Wojnarowski had to say on the Philly big man’s availability. “I’m told that Joel Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 against the Celtics tonight in Boston… There has been improvement and I’m told there is optimism that he could make his return for Game 2 on Wednesday.” So it looks as if the Sixers will be massive gun down when they start their series with the Celtics on Monday night.
Joel Embiid To Miss Game 1 Vs. Celtics
“I’m told that Joel Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 against the Celtics tonight in Boston… There has been improvement and I’m told there is optimism that he could make his return for Game 2 on Wednesday.”
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 1, 2023
With the Bucks already eliminated, the winner of the Celtics-Sixers series has a lot at stake. For instance, the winner will be rewarded home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference Finals. As both teams are higher seeds than the Heat or Knicks. However, winning this series is the only thing on each team’s mind. The Sixers have proven they can win without Embiid. But the Celtics may prove to be a tougher challenge than the Nets. However, the team may see Embiid back on the court sooner rather than later.
Injuries have seemingly plagued every team in this post-season. Even the Celtics are dealing with a bizarre injury to forward Jaylen Brown. However, Brown’s injury wasn’t sustained on the floor. Brown sliced his hand open when a busted vase fell on him at home. However, the injury hasn’t seemed like a big issue with Brown’s play from the team’s first series. Can the Sixers win the series without Joel Embiid? Please give us your predictions on the Sixers-Celtics series in our comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.