Joel Embiid cleared to start Game 3; OG Anunoby sidelined for Knicks
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The Philadelphia 76ers will have center Joel Embiid back in the lineup Friday night, while the New York Knicks will be without forward OG Anunoby for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal at Wells Fargo Center.
Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters before tip-off that he expects Embiid to play, noting the final call will be made close to the 7 p.m. ET start. The league’s reigning MVP participated in the team’s morning shootaround after missing Game 2 with lingering injuries.
Anunoby was ruled out by Knicks coach Mike Brown because of a right hamstring strain suffered late in the fourth quarter of New York’s Game 2 victory. The Knicks described his status as day-to-day and offered no timetable for a return, leaving his availability for Sunday’s Game 4 uncertain.
Series context
Philadelphia trails the best-of-seven series 0-2. The Sixers were routed 137-98 at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 with Embiid in uniform, then fell narrowly in Game 2 after the center shifted from probable to out hours before tip.
Embiid’s postseason so far
Since returning from an emergency appendectomy on April 9, Embiid has appeared in five playoff games, averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He posted 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a Game 7 win at Boston last Saturday, marking his first series victory over the Celtics.
In the regular season, Embiid logged 38 games and averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Anunoby’s playoff surge
Anunoby is amid the most productive stretch of his career, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks across eight postseason contests. His exit leaves New York without a key two-way contributor as it tries to extend its series lead.
Source: ESPN
