76ers' Doc Rivers Addresses Joel Embiid's Game 1 Absence

Many hoped that the Philadelphia 76ers were teasing the idea of sitting Joel Embiid for Game 1 against the Boston Celtics before clearing him for action in surprising fashion. Unfortunately for the Sixers, the hopeful fans couldn’t speak that scenario into existence.

In the week leading up to the start of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Joel Embiid didn’t spend any time practicing with his teammates. Although he managed to do some stationary shooting in the final days of practice before Game 1, the head coach Doc Rivers considered the big man doubtful for the first game.

Hours before tip-off, the Sixers confirmed that Embiid would miss the opening matchup of the series against Boston. Starting in place of Embiid was the third-year center, Paul Reed.

Will Embiid Return for Game 2?

With Embiid officially out for Game 1, the big question moving forward now surrounds the All-Star’s status for Game 2.

On Monday afternoon, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Sixers are “optimistic” about the potential of Embiid playing on Wednesday, but they can’t be so sure.

Doc Rivers highlighted the steps that need to be taken for Embiid to suit up for the second outing of the series.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Rivers said regarding Embiid’s Game 2 status, according to Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire. “I hope, but I can’t even say. It hasn’t even been talked about yet.”

For Embiid, it’s not going to be as simple as suiting up and getting back out on the floor for a game and picking up where he left off.

Considering he hasn’t had the opportunity to run around on the court since Philly’s Game 3 win over the Brooklyn Nets a little under two weeks ago, there are critical steps Embiid needs to take to ensure he’s ready to return to compete at a high level.

“Obviously, this is not normal where you miss a game, and you have ten days off or nine days off, and you haven’t done anything in that, and then you miss another game,” Rivers added, per Carlin. “And just the basketball side of me says if we can get him on the floor to do something before he plays, that would be the wise thing to do, but we’ll see.”

Playing through a knee injury is nothing new for Embiid, who battled a lower-body setback in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. While it seems Embiid has a good chance of fighting through the setback at some point during the second round, Rivers and the Sixers aren’t sure if he’ll be ready by Wednesday night.