The Philadelphia 76ers have a commanding lead on the Brooklyn Nets now. Up 3-0 in a seven-game series, the 76ers have the chance to sweep the Nets in the first round. But that may be easier said than done without their leading scorer, Joel Embiid. A major update regarding the 76ers center may be a concern as Philadelphia looks to finish this series in four games.
Joel Embiid took some serious hits during Game 3 of the series. He was knocked down a couple of times until it finally took a toll on him, and he could be seen wobbling up the floor. Now, only hours after joking around with reporters, things have gotten serious for the five-time All-Star.
Joel Embiid is ruled out for Game 4
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Joel Embiid took a scary fall during the third quarter of the game with over seven minutes left to play. Nets forward Cameron Johnson went in for a layup after trying to split the defense.
Embiid stuck with Johnson throughout the play in the hopes of blocking his shot. Though Embiid barely missed out on the block, his aggressive defense ended up costing him as he landed awkwardly on top of Johnson.
Though Embiid got back up immediately, he could barely make it down the floor as he wobbled to get back on offense. Even though Embiid managed to finish the game, his performance was far from usual.
Reporting on Joel Embiid’s right knee sprain for ABC NBA Countdown pic.twitter.com/XNsywtwZoV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2023
Now, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski, ?Ramona Shelburne and I are told that Joel Embiid underwent an MRI today on his right knee back in Philadelphia. Has a sprained right knee, and he is out tomorrow for Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets. There?s optimism that Embiid could be back in the lineup as soon as early next week.?
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Embiid was cracking up reporters only hours earlier
Joel Embiid’s recent injury may have come at a cost after he lost his cool early in Game 3. Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton ended up stepping over Embiid while he was on the ground during the first quarter of the game.
Embiid did not like this gesture and ended up kicking Claxton almost in his private parts. After the game when he was asked about that incident, he gave a reply that managed to crack up a room full of reporters.
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Now, it is unfortunate that Embiid will be missing out on Game 4 but let?s hope the rest of the team manages to finish this series off in four games.