Joel Embiid posterized Garrison Mathews, but at what cost?
Sixers’ All-Star Joel Embiid has been a leading candidate for this season’s Kia MVP award, but his delayed second-half debut was marred by a scary fall that resulted in a left knee injury and an early exit from Friday’s game vs. Washington.
Injury update: Joel Embiid (left knee injury) will not return to tonight’s game.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 13, 2021
With 6 1/2 minutes to play in the third quarter, Embiid and Tobias Harris ran a two-man game on the right wing, a give-and-go screen-and-roll leaving the Sixers’ center with a clear lane. Embiid raced to the rim for a monstrous dunk over an admirable but ineffectual challenge from Garrison Mathews, who careened off past the baseline.
Embiid’s left leg appeared to bend backward as he landed, and the 7-footer immediately crumpled in pain as trainers raced to the floor. He eventually walked off to the locker room, having racked up 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 8-for-11 through just 20 minutes, and the Sixers went on to win, 127-101.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski later reported that Embiid was diagnosed with a hyperextension and will get an MRI scan once the team returns to Philadelphia. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed the MRI, telling reporters to expect more information Saturday and that Embiid “was in pretty good spirits.”
Embiid is expected to get the MRI once team travels back to Philadelphia, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 13, 2021
Tobias Harris on Embiid: “We’re just praying he’ll be okay and be healthy. We know how important Joel is to the team.”
Mentions it’s especially tough since he knows how much time and effort Embiid has put into taking care of his body this year.
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) March 13, 2021
Doc confirms the @wojespn report that Embiid’s MRI will take place when the team gets back to Philly. https://t.co/JtqRBtYjEF
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 13, 2021