PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers will face the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals without star center Joel Embiid, who was officially scratched Wednesday because of a right ankle sprain and right hip soreness.
The seven-time All-Star had been listed as probable until the NBA’s 1 p.m. ET injury report reclassified him as out. According to team sources, Embiid was unable to take part in the morning shootaround after the soreness in both areas intensified, despite receiving continuous treatment aimed at keeping him on the floor.
Embiid has appeared in five postseason contests since returning April 9 from an emergency appendectomy, averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He missed the first three games of Philadelphia’s first-round series against Boston before averaging 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists over the final four, capped by a 34-point, 12-rebound performance in Saturday’s decisive comeback victory.
Two nights later, New York routed Philadelphia 137-98 at Madison Square Garden in the series opener. Embiid finished with 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting in 25 minutes, and head coach Nick Nurse removed his starters midway through the third quarter.
The reigning 2022-23 MVP appeared in 38 regular-season games this year, up from 19 the previous season, and averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Game 2 tips off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Source: ESPN
