Will former KU center Joel Embiid be available for Philadelphia 76ers on Monday?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Joel Embiid is listed as probable for Monday’s Eastern Conference semifinal opener.
- Embiid suffered a right hip contusion when Tyrese Maxey fell into his leg in Game 7.
- Embiid had emergency appendicitis surgery on April 9 and missed first 3 playoff games.
Former University of Kansas center Joel Embiid was injured in the final moments of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 109-100 victory over Boston on Saturday in Game 7 of a first-round NBA playoff series. But he has been listed as “probable” on the league’s official injury report for Monday.
That’s when the 76ers and Knicks will meet for Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series. Game time is 7 p.m. Central at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Embiid, a 7-foot, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon, played at KU during the 2013-14 season. He suffered a right hip contusion Saturday when teammate Tyrese Maxey fell into Embiid’s leg in the closing minutes.
Embiid’s 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes helped the Sixers claim their first playoff victory over the Celtics since 1982. Embiid improved his personal record in Game 7 contests to 1-3.
Embiid had emergency surgery following a bout with appendicitis on April 9. He missed one NBA play-in game and the first three playoff games vs. the Celtics.
This marks the third straight game he’s been listed as “probable” on the injury report. His presence was cited as vital in Philly overcoming a 3-1 deficit vs. Boston in the best-of-seven series.
“I feel great. I feel amazing. I was faking it (hip injury Saturday),” Embiid said, joking with reporters after Game 7 vs. the Celtics.
“I tell my brain I feel amazing, so I feel amazing,” Embiid stated after Game 6 on Thursday. “Hopefully, my brain understands it. Sometimes it’s hard. Your body tells you something different, but I feel amazing.”
Philly coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid’s health: “The amount of games (since surgery) is still pretty low, right? These are super intense, pretty quick comebacks, every other day. He didn’t get lucky enough to get those three-day breaks at the start, but he was doing everything he could to stay in the game (Saturday). We obviously ran a lot of stuff through him. We still think he got a lot of shots that can go in, but I think he’s directing traffic and making good passes and all that stuff. He’s at least given us a focal point to play through, which is excellent.”
Embiid, a seven-time NBA all-star who has suffered numerous injuries during his 12-year NBA career, averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in four playoff games vs. Boston. He played in just 38 games during the regular season, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
He missed his first two NBA seasons because of knee surgeries, debuting in the league in 2016-17.
The Sixers last played the Knicks in the postseason two years ago. New York won that series in six games.
Embiid in the interview room after Saturday’s clinching win over Boston said he had “a message for our fans.”
“Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like Philadelphia was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
According to ESPN, the Sixers have told ticket buyers: “Xfinity Mobile Arena is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sales to this event (Games 3 and 4 after two games in New York) will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
It is about a two-hour drive from New York to Philly.
“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” Embiid said Saturday. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
Embiid was critical of Philadelphia fans two years ago after losing to the Knicks. Several thousand Knicks supporters attended the games in Philly.
“It kind of (ticks) me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town,” Embiid said at the time.
Embiid is one of three former KU players on the Sixers’ roster.
Kelly Oubre Jr., who started all seven games vs. Boston, averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in that series. Reserve Quentin Grimes (he played at KU in 2018-19, then Houston two seasons) averaged 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in seven games vs. the Celts.
Former KU guard Kevin McCullar is a member of the Knicks who did not enter a game in the first-round series against Atlanta.
