Like last year, the first round of the playoffs ended badly for Joel Embiid. Hit in the face in 2022, this time he is the victim of a slight sprain of the right knee which forces him to return to the infirmary and see his participation for the start of the conference semi-finals being called into question.
After the successful “sweep” by the Sixers on the Nets’ floor, Doc Rivers was again questioned about the state of health of his pivot and the prospect of seeing him back in the first game of the next series. .
” I don’t know. I would say right now it’s probably the same percentage given before the game… Probably 50%, best case scenario,” he confided. “From what I understand, the staff examined his right knee at the end of the match because he was complaining of pain behind the knee, which is always scary when you hear that from the players. There was already some swelling, which is way too early, so we did an MRI.”
A little extra time to recover
The good news is that the Sixers have already qualified for the next round while the other series between Boston and Atlanta has been extended (2-1 for Boston). The longer the series lasts, the more Joel Embiid will have the possibility of returning to 100%. This is also why Doc Rivers could not speak with more precision.
“We want everyone to be healthy. I think it’s going to be important for us. This sweep allows us to rest a bit… I think we have it for a week? It will be a big plus. We have time to prepare our physique, our head, our plan, and other things like that, in addition to letting everyone relax and decompress ”confirmed Tyrese Maxey, one of the big guys in the Sixers’ last two victories.
For Doc Rivers, this unfortunate episode can also strengthen the bonds between the players as we saw in Game 4, and make these Sixers an even more united team behind the ultimate goal, to rally the Finals.
“Absolutely, especially in these circumstances. Not having your pivot and not worrying about it. I think that was important for us.”he confided. “It is clear that it remains in a corner of our heads. But like I said, it’s one more hurdle in the story we’re going to write this year, and it’s going to do it. That’s only part of the story. For me, I’m sure he’s human and it will happen again. Let’s win, put it back on the field and move on”.
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 | PHL | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| Total | 394 | 32 | 50.1 | 33.7 | 81.9 | 2.2 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
