Sixers Share Update on Joel Embiid's Playing Status For NBA Playoffs

The Philadelphia 76ers and their fans held their collective breaths on Saturday night after star center Joel Embiid went down late in the second quarter after throwing down a highlight-reel dunk against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Embiid, who recently returned to the court on Apr. 2, landed on his left leg after completing the dunk and immediately went down. The All-Star center eventually got off the floor and went to the locker room, only to return at the start of the third quarter.

The reigning NBA MVP ultimately finished Game 1 with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals as the Sixers fell 111-104.

Sixers News: Philadelphia Doesn’t Plan to Shut Down Joel Embiid

After the game, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was asked about Embiid’s health, especially since it was the second time in the last eight days that he had to exit a game with an injury scare.

Nurse told the media there are no plans to shut down Embiid, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. The Sixers head coach also mentioned that the 30-year-old center wants to play. 

“He really is a warrior, and he’s battling,” Nurse said. “I think he absolutely wants to play.”

For the Sixers to have a chance to win Game 2, let alone this series, they need Embiid on the floor. In Game 1’s loss on Saturday night, the Sixers were +14 in 37 minutes that Embiid was on the floor, but were -21 in 11 minutes without him.

After getting off to a blistering start in the first quarter, Embiid had 14 points on 3-of-13 shooting in the second half. However, the Sixers struggled on the boards (55-33), while the Knicks’ bench outscored them 42-7.

Embiid and the Sixers hope for a better performance in a must-win Game 2 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

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