05/06/26 04:59:00
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05/06 16:57 CDT Joel Embiid is out for Game 2 of the 76ers' series against the
Knicks with ankle and hip injuries
Joel Embiid is out for Game 2 of the 76ers' series against the Knicks with
ankle and hip injuries
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Joel Embiid was sidelined for Game 2 of the Philadelphia
76ers' second-round series against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night with
a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip.
The 76ers had listed their center as probable to play, mentioning only the
ankle, before adding the hip problem on the injury report and ruling him out
about six hours before trying to even the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Coach Nick Nurse said Embiid woke up with soreness and was treated during the
76ers' morning shootaround. The team's medical staff determined afterward that
Embiid would be unable to play.
"He's really disappointed. He really wants to be out there," Nurse said, adding
that Adem Bona and Andre Drummond would likely share Embiid's minutes.
Embiid struggled through a short night in the Knicks' 137-98 romp in Game 1,
scoring 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting in 25 minutes before the starters were
benched with the game out of reach.
Embiid had been listed as probable to play in that game with a bruised right
hip before being cleared, and the Knicks repeatedly took advantage of his lack
of mobility to create open shots.
Embiid returned from a late-season appendectomy during Game 4 of Philadelphia's
first-round series against Boston and helped the 76ers overcome a 3-1 deficit
to win the series. He has averaged 25.2 points in five games thus far.
It's unclear whether the pain around Embiid's hip is replated to the
appendectomy. He winced and grabbed his abdomen at one point in Game 1 after
Knicks guard Mikal Bridges collided with him on a screen in the first half.
Embiid later said he felt the contact was unnecessary.
"Obviously based on what's been going on, I guess I've got to protect it more,"
Embiid said. "I don't know if it was dirty or not, so I guess I've got to do a
better job of protecting, especially that part."
The Sixers won't have Embiid to match up with Knicks All-Star center
Karl-Anthony Towns, and they'll likely need much more from Tyrese Maxey. The
speedy point guard also struggled through Game 1, going 3 for 9 for 13 points
after averaging 26.9 in the first round.
The 76ers, however, are used to playing without Embiid. It has been years since
the former MVP has truly been healthy.
"I said this before, but coming back from that appendectomy so quick was not
easy for him to do," Nurse said. "He's worked extremely hard to get back and he
continues to want to play badly and I feel really bad for him, because he
really wants to be out there and we want him out there."
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