The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a difficult situation. While they have a clearer path to the playoffs than in recent years, they will face the Boston Celtics, who had the second-best record in the NBA, in the second round. The Celtics will be a tough game for the 76ers even when they’re healthy, but the Sixers may be without a MVP to start the series.
That’s unfortunate, given that the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the first round, and whoever wins the Celtics-Sixers series will be the favorite to reach the NBA Finals in the East. The Sixers still have a chance, but their championship hopes depend on if and when Joel Embiid plays.
Joel Embiid’s latest injury in the 1:76ers game at the Celtics
According to Sixers Coach Doc Rivers, Embiid is questionable for Game 1. However, Rivers may be underestimating the severity of the injury.
According to Shams Charania, Embiid’s injury could be more serious than initially reported and could mean he missed at least several matches. This differs from the one to two week recovery time initially given by the team. In fact, it casts doubt on whether Embiid will play against the Celtics.
When does Embiid play?
His Embiid LCL injured, which has a varying schedule. Kevin Durant suffered a similar injury earlier this season and missed a month. Embiid was injured on April 20, and the Celtics-Sixers game is scheduled to last 14 days and end no later than May 14.
This means that he is unlikely to play in the series, unless he returns quickly. This may be the best case scenario; However, Bleacher Report’s Jason Dumas reports that injuries like Embiid can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to recover.
That could push his return from injury until June if the Sixers make it that far. Either way, he could miss the entire series against the Celtics.
Full Philadelphia 76ers injury report
Daniel House Jr. joined Embiid in injury reporting. It is considered an everyday disease.
Full schedule for the Philadelphia 76ers Conference Semifinals:
Unlike the first round, the Eastern Conference Semifinals will be less spaced out. There will only be one day between games, aside from a potential Game 7, and that certainly hurts the Sixers, who could have taken an extra day between games to give Embiid more time to recover. The same can be said for James Harden, who is 33 and will have to carry a much greater attacking burden without Embiid. This is the full 76ers series schedule:
Monday, 5/1 @ Boston 7:30pm TNT
Wed, 5/3 @ Boston 8:00 p.m. TNT
Friday, 5/5 vs. Boston 7:30 p.m
Sunday, 5/7, vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m
Tues, 5/9 @ Boston TBD TNT
Thursday, 5/11 vs. Boston TBD
Sun, 5/14 @ Boston TBD
Overall, the 76ers seem likely to be without an Embiid for the entire series. Things can always change, but Embiid’s absence greatly reduces the Sixers’ chances against the Celtics.