” There’s nothing new. The doctors examined him and he did nothing today. If I was a bettor, I’d say he’s uncertain for Game 1 at least. But we will see.” The more time passes, the more complicated the situation becomes for Doc Rivers as Game 1 of the conference semifinals between Philadelphia and Boston is fast approaching. Hit in the right knee since Game 3 of the previous series against Brooklyn, Joel Embiid should finally deal with a more serious injury than expected.
His anterior cruciate ligament sprain would indeed be greater than a level 1 sprain, requiring only a few days to two weeks of recovery. But this Sunday, it will be ten days without training! Clearly not the best way to prepare for such an important meeting this Monday. The Athletic estimated that this type of injury requires four to six weeks of treatment, but Embiid is used to playing with injuries.
“Joel needs to improve,” responded yesterday the coach of the Sixers with a nervous laugh. “He hasn’t been able to do anything yet. Joel was just not able to do it when obviously we had good hopes of seeing him again today.
If he was unable to hold his place, the Cameroonian could be replaced by Dewayne Dedmon, Montrezl Harrell or Paul Reed. As was the case on Game 4 won in Brooklyn, Paul Reed would always hold the rope to join the major five if necessary.
Paul Reed stands by
The inner tonic seized his chance by compiling 10 points and 15 rebounds in 32 minutes and he stands ready for the possibility of being propelled into the spotlight again, with a little more confidence following his successful first on the weekend. -end last.
“I keep the same mental and physical preparation as if he was going to play. I will not change anything in what I do and I keep the same mental focus.he confided. “It’s been a big boost for my confidence, knowing that I can get to play more for the team and give us the boost we needed to finish this series. Now I feel capable of tackling the next series and giving us that boost again. If Joel doesn’t play, I’m sure I can come in to give us a lot of energy and help us win.”
Boston’s more experienced profile could, however, lead Doc Rivers to choose another option, such as putting PJ Tucker at position 5 to articulate a more “small ball” major five. Except that the veteran didn’t train on Saturday either…
| 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.
