Sixers coach Doc Rivers spoke with reporters on Saturday about the status of center Joel Embiid ahead of Game 4 between Philadelphia and the Nets.
Embiid, who suffered a sprained knee during Game 3 of the series, was ruled out of Saturday’s game on Friday. While the 76ers have a commanding 3–0 series lead and the chance to sweep the Nets on Saturday, it did not stop Rivers from thinking about the health of his star big man, who has had his fair share of injuries.
“Clearly that’s [Embiid ankle] on your mind,” Rivers told reporters after finding about Embiid’s injury, via Derek Bodner of The Daily Six Newsletter. “He’s human, and goodness, this happens again. … As I said [to Embiid], this is another obstacle in the story that we’re gonna write this year. …It may take a minute, but this is part of it [the path].”
Immediately after the Game 3 victory, Embiid had complaints about soreness behind his knee, which Rivers said is “always a scary thing.” According to Rivers, Embiid was already experiencing swelling, prompting the team to undergo an MRI on his knee and leading to 76ers’ star being ruled out.
If Philadelphia does not complete the four-game sweep, Rivers said he was “not sure” whether Embiid would remain out for the remainder of the series. Rivers said that he is focused on keeping the team locked in on competing for a NBA title and eventually getting Embiid back on the court.
“Let’s win, let’s get him [Embiid] back on the floor and let’s just keep on our own journey,” Rivers said.
If the Philadelphia wins Game 4, the Sixers will punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals and will play the winner of the first-round series between the Celtics and the Hawks. Embiid, who had a hectic game in Game 3 on Thursday, played 38 minutes while finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds and committed a controversial flagrant foul for kicking Nic Claxton.
The six-time All-Star led the league in points per game (33.1) for a second consecutive season, while also grabbing 10.2 rebounds per contest.
