No issues for Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for a strong end to the season to match the stellar start they had. They remain in contention to finish the campaign atop the Eastern Conference, as they continue to battle with the likes of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks for supremacy and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
On Saturday evening the 76ers had a crucial clash with the aforementioned Bucks, but were forced to play without their superstar Joel Embiid. Fortunately for Philadelphia fans though, it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury for the 27-year-old according to his head coach who told reporters he likely would have been able to play had it been a playoff game.
“I’m assuming yes,” Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers said, via ESPN. “But I honestly can’t give you that answer. The trainers came in. I think in most cases, if it’s a playoff game, most guys can play. I don’t think Ben [Simmons] could have played today if it was a playoff game.”
The 76ers definitely felt the impact of Embiid’s absence against the Bucks on Saturday night as they fell 132-94 at the Fiserv Forum. Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey led the team in scoring on the evening with 15 points each, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with their high-flying hosts.
Embiid did feature in Philadelphia’s game against Milwaukee on Thursday night, putting up 24 points, three rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. The 76ers ultimately lost 124-117 on that occasion as well but it was a much closer affair than Saturday’s.
Although Embiid has missed a few games already this season, Rivers said he is not concerned about his star and has no issues with him playing in back-to-back games if he is required to. He also pointed out that when the games really start to matter, it won’t be a problem as teams are usually not forced to play on consecutive nights in the playoffs.
“He’ll have more rest in the playoffs,” Rivers continued. “You don’t play any back-to-backs in the playoffs typically. You get a day off in between every game. So I am not that concerned. I think Joel, I think he has built up through this year. He is in better shape this year physically. Do we miss too many games [to injuries] as a team? Well yeah, this year we have missed way too many games.”
Philadelphia currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-21 record. The Brooklyn Nets are just ahead of them with a 40-20 record, while the Bucks remain in hot pursuit with a respectable 37-22 record.
Last season, the 76ers finished the regular season in sixth place and were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, losing four straight games inside the NBA bubble. They are desperate to avoid a similar fate this season and are anxious to prove they can get the job done in the playoffs.
The 76ers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday evening at Wells Fargo Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
