After initially being listed as probable due to a right ankle sprain, Sixers center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 2 on Wednesday due to that ankle injury as well as right hip soreness. The decision, which is now official, was first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
According to Charania, Embiid has been dealing with increased soreness in his ankle and hip since Monday’s contest and wasn’t able to participate in this morning’s shootaround. The banged-up big man, who returned to action in Game 4 of the first round after undergoing an emergency appendectomy last month, has been receiving “around-the clock” treatment in the hopes of getting him ready for Game 2, Charania adds, but it wasn’t enough.
Embiid played a crucial role in the 76ers’ first-round comeback from a 3-1 deficit, averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per night in Games 5, 6, and 7. Philadelphia outscored Boston by 31 points with Embiid on the floor during those three victories. However, the former MVP struggled in Monday’s blowout loss to New York, scoring 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
With Embiid unavailable, the Sixers will have to lean more heavily on Adem Bona, who started the first three games of the Boston series, and Andre Drummond, who split center duties with Bona during those contests, averaging 24.3 MPG.
There will also be added pressure on Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Paul George to carry the offensive load without Embiid on the court.