76ers News: NBA Insider Offers Joel Embiid Update Before Game 1

When the Philadelphia 76ers face the Boston Celtics for Game 1 of their second-round series in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, they could be without their six-time All-Star big man, Joel Embiid.

All week long, Embiid hasn’t been an active participant at Sixers practice. After Embiid received another evaluation on his knee one week after suffering a knee injury, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers assumed the star center would be doubtful for Game 1.

On Sunday, that was officially the case. Considering Embiid put up some shots following practice on Sunday and was spotted shooting around before the team’s morning shootaround in Boston on Monday, many were left feeling optimistic that Embiid’s status on the injury report was a smokescreen and there was a good chance he would play.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday afternoon that wasn’t the case.

.@wojespn is told Joel Embiid is "unlikely to play" in Game 1 against the Celtics: pic.twitter.com/DL3v5yrn4B
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2023

“I’m told that Joel Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 against the Celtics tonight in Boston,” Wojnarowski reported. “He did get on the floor today at the Sixers’ shootaround and then worked out afterward and was able to move better.”

As expected, Embiid has a low chance of suiting up on Monday night. Considering he hasn’t participated in practice all week after not seeing any on-court action since the Sixers’ Game 3 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, Embiid simply doesn’t seem healthy enough to take the floor.

While that’s certainly not the best news for the Sixers, Wojnarowski added that the team might be optimistic about Embiid’s playing status for Game 2.

“There has been an improvement,” Wojnarowski said. “I’m told there is optimism that Joel Embiid could make his return for Game 2 on Wednesday, but the Sixers are preparing to be without him tonight in Game 1 with that sprained knee.”

Embiid remains doubtful on the Sixers’ injury report, which leaves the door open for a potential return. However, as tip-off inches closer, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Embiid could miss Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second season in a row.