Embiid posted 15 points (5-18 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 38 minutes during Sunday's 112-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Game 7 did not go Philly's way, and a tepid outing from Embiid was a critical factor. Embiid's frustration with Boston's early lead was clearly visible, and the 2022-23 NBA MVP effectively threw in the towel in the fourth quarter, exhibiting minimal effort. Embiid finished the postseason with averages of 23.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over nine games -- well below his regular-season numbers.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Double-doubles in Game 6 loss
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Embiid logged 26 points (9-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 41 minutes during Thursday's 95-86 loss to Boston in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Embiid continues to play through an ongoing knee injury, racking up a double-double during the Game 6 loss. While he was able to play significant minutes, he did appear hampered at times, struggling to get up the floor. He will undoubtedly be ready to go for Game 7, but if the 76ers are able to advance beyond the second round, Embiid's health has to be a major concern moving forward.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Good to go for Game 6
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Embiid (knee) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's Game 6 against Boston, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Embiid will play in his fifth consecutive game after sustaining a sprained right knee in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and missing a pair of contests due to the injury. Since returning, Embiid has faced no limitations, playing at least 37 minutes in each of his last three appearances after being held to 27 minutes in Game 2 due to a blowout. Over that three-game stretch, Embiid averaged 32.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.6 blocks across 40.6 minutes.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Listed as questionable
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Embiid (knee) is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 versus Boston.
Embiid has appeared in four straight games after missing back-to-back contests due to a knee sprain, so it'd be surprising if he took a seat for the critical Game 6 matchup. The MVP has scored at least 30 points in three straight games, averaging 32.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks in 40.7 minutes during that stretch.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Carries 76ers to series lead
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Embiid accumulated 33 points (10-23 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 10-11 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and four blocks over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 115-103 victory over the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Embiid had a dominant display on both ends of the court, leading the 76ers in scoring despite not shooting the ball at a very efficient clip while also recording multiple blocks for the fourth time over his last five games. The reigning MVP is averaging 24.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.9 blocks per game in the playoffs, but it's worth noting he has cleared the 30-point mark in each of his last three games versus Boston.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Good to go Tuesday
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Embiid (knee) is good to go for Game 5 versus the Celtics on Tuesday.
Embiid was carrying a questionable tag into Tuesday's contest, but the 76ers never expressed much doubt about his status. With the series tied 2-2, Embiid will continue playing through the pain as expected.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Questionable for Game 5
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Embiid (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Celtics.
Embiid missed two games earlier in the postseason due to his lingering knee sprain, but he's appeared in the last three matchups and has averaged 26.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 37.3 minutes per game. With the series tied 2-2, it wouldn't be surprising to see Embiid suit up again Tuesday.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Posts double-double in Game 4 win
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Embiid chipped in 34 points (11-26 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 12-15 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and one steal across 46 minutes during Sunday's 116-115 overtime victory over the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Embiid led all 76ers in rebounds while finishing as one of two players with 30 or more points in a double-double performance. Embiid, who tallied his highest scoring total of the postseason thus far, has posted two straight 30-point double-doubles in the series against Boston.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Good to go Sunday
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Embiid (knee) is available and will start Sunday's Game 4 against Boston.
Embiid was listed as questionable due to a knee sprain that's already cost him two games this postseason, but he'll suit up for a third straight contest. After recording just 15 points and three rebounds in his first appearance following his absence, the MVP was much better in Game 3, posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Questionable for Game 4
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Embiid is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Celtics due to a right knee sprain.
Embiid missed Game 1 of the series with his knee injury but has played in the last two contests. The MVP center played 39 minutes in Game 2 and didn't appear limited, so he will likely suit up Sunday unless he suffers a setback.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Plays lone hand in loss
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Embiid ended with 30 points (9-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 11-12 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal in 39 minutes during Friday's 114-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Embiid led all scorers with 30 points, doing everything he could to steer the 76ers to victory. While his efforts should be applauded, his teammates were unable to rally, eventually falling to a 12-point loss. The 76ers will now look to even the series at 2-2 on Sunday before heading back to Boston for Game 5.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Listed in starting lineup
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Embiid (knee) is listed in the starting lineup for Friday's Game 3 versus Boston, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Embiid missed the final matchup of the opening-round series against Brooklyn and Game 1 versus Boston due to a knee sprain, but he returned to action in Game 2 and played 27 minutes during the blowout loss. He drew a questionable tag for Game 3 despite being a full participant in practice, so his availability doesn't really come as a surprise. Across four playoff games, the MVP has averaged 18.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocks in 33.8 minutes.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Status uncertain for Game 3
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Embiid is questionable for Friday's Game 3 versus the Celtics due to a right knee sprain.
Embiid played 27 minutes in Wednesday's blowout loss after missing the previous two games with a knee injury. However, the MVP center's participation in practice is a good sign for his availability Friday. If Embiid is ruled out, Paul Reed will likely draw another start at center.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Participant in practice
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Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers said Embiid was a full participant in Thursday's practice but still has a brace on his right knee, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Despite dealing with a right knee sprain, Rivers said the team was pleased with Embiid's physical tracking data in Game 2. His participation in practice is a good sign the MVP center will be available for Friday's Game 3 against Boston.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Subpar outing in return
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Embiid ended Wednesday's 121-87 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 15 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), three rebounds and five blocks across 27 minutes.
Embiid made his debut in the Conference Semifinals after missing two playoff contests with a knee injury, but the newly minted MVP couldn't make an impact as the 76ers suffered a disappointing 34-point defeat. The star big man should be healthy for Game 3 and will likely deliver a better showing as he shakes off the rust.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Officially good to go
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Embiid is available and in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game 2 versus the Celtics, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
As expected, Embiid will replace Paul Reed in the starting lineup after missing the previous contest with a right knee sprain. The MVP center was seen with a knee brace in pregame warmups but was moving without any issues. There is no indication that Embiid will be on a minutes restriction.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Set to play in Game 2
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Embiid (knee) will play in Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Celtics, barring any unexpected setbacks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Embiid has been upgraded from doubtful to available Wednesday after missing Game 1 with a right knee sprain. The MVP center should replace Paul Reed in the starting lineup but could play limited minutes depending on his fitness level once the contest begins. Embiid averaged 46.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in 39.5 minutes across his previous two matchups with Boston this season.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: On track to play Game 2
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Embiid (knee) said he's on track to return to the lineup Wednesday for the 76ers' matchup with the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Though the latest official NBA injury report lists Embiid as doubtful for Game 2, the newly-minted 2023 NBA MVP looks like he'll be able to play through his lingering right knee sprain, provided he doesn't experience any setbacks in morning shootaround or pregame warmups leading up to the 8 p.m. ET opening tip. The 76ers were able to steal a win on the road sans Embiid in Game 1 on Sunday, with Paul Reed drawing a second straight start and turning in a double-double (10 points, 13 boards) over 37 minutes. Assuming Embiid is cleared to play Wednesday, he'll likely do so without a hard playing-time restriction.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Named Most Valuable Player
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Embiid (knee) was named the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Embiid won the MVP award after finishing as the runner-up in the previous two years. The superstar center averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 34.6 minutes across 66 games this season, leading the 76ers to a 54-28 record. Embiid is currently dealing with a knee injury that could hold him out of Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Celtics.
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76ers' Joel Embiid: Considered doubtful for Game 2
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Head coach Doc Rivers said Embiid (knee) is still considered doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 in Boston, but the MVP candidate could be upgraded if he responds well to Tuesday's workout, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Embiid missed the series-clinching Game 4 win over Brooklyn and remained sidelined for Monday's Game 1 victory in Boston due to a knee sprain, but he's doing everything in his power to get back on the court to help his team. He did some light shooting ahead of Monday's game and will go through a skeleton workout Tuesday, and how he responds to those events will be the determining factor in his availability moving forward. An official update on his availability for Game 2 likely won't come until hours before Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET tip-off.
