NBA Injury Update: Joel Embiid questionable for Game 3 against Celtics
Joel Embiid failed to deliver in last night's Game 2 against the Boston Celtics after being named the Most Valuable Player award days prior. With that, the Philadelphia 76ers have announced that Embiid is listed as questionable in tomorrow's Game 3 bout in Philly's home floor.
Joel Embiid (right knee sprain) is QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow's Game 3 matchup vs. the Celtics, Sixers have announced. https://t.co/hjT9MD8DTs
It's the same injury that have kept him out of Game 4 of their series against the Brooklyn Nets and Game 1 against the Celtics. While he did play through the pain last night, it didn't look right.
The Cameroonian center only had 15 points, three rebounds and five blocks while playing for only 27 minutes. They lost Game 2 by a huge margin and are looking to come back strong in front of their home crowd towmorrow.
You might also be interested in reading this: "Joel aint no MVP" - Celtics fans humiliate Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Game 2 after a blowout loss
The Sixers were wrong in playing Joel Embiid last night
The Sixers did their best to counter the Celtics in playing Joel Embiid despite not being fully healthy. With Embiid's presence on the floor, Philly went back to their old ways of relying heavily on their All-Star center to carry them offensively. Watching the team play last night, it didn't look like everyone was on the same page.
For starters, James Harden started the series with his impressive scoring outburst. In Game 1, he had 45 points, six assists and two steals after a 50% shooting performance from beyond the arc. However, Harden's follow up to that game was a disappointing Game 2 where he had 12 points, ten rebounds and four assists. The Beard even missed all his six attempts from downtown.
It wasn't just Harden who had a terrible game. Tyrese Maxey, who had a 26-point performance in Game 1, didn't play effectively in last night's game. Maxey only had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. The young guard shot poorly from the three-point area, making only 25% of his attempts.
The only player who can be considered to have a stable game over the past two games is Tobias Harris. In the first game, Harris had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Last night, however, Harris had 16 points, seven rebounds in 33 minutes of action. The forward shot 40% from beyond the arc in both games.
The effect that Embiid has is enormous. However, they've been used to relying heavily on their star player that they tend to get comfortable on the floor with him. It looks like the Sixers expect him to carry their entire offense most of the times and they get a bit relaxed.
Still, it's a best-of-seven series and the Sixers could capture the lead as they host Game 3.
Also read: "He's got a mental block" - Charles Barkley says having Joel Embiid in the lineup hurts James Harden and Tyrese Maxey