The Sixers are up and running, aggressing toward a sweep despite neither of their superstars having a monstrous game. Both Joel Embiid and James Harden are yet to come off big, and their team is 3-0 against the 6th seed of the Eastern Conference.
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However, there are concerns about Embiid playing Game 4 and sealing the series in Brooklyn on Saturday. Will he take the court to give the Nets a goodbye or expect his teammates to do so and not risk an injury that is probably knocking on his door? Let’s see.
Is Joel Embiid playing tonight against the Brooklyn Nets?
There were reports yesterday that both Harden and Embiid will play Game 4 but as per the latest update by ESPN insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, Joel will not play because of a sprain on his right knee that came out in an MRI late Friday.
As worrisome as it could be for the Philly fans, Sixers can risk losing a game now instead of risking their MVP frontrunner’s knee for a more serious injury. And as per Woj, he will be back early next week, meaning, Game 5 in Philly probably. What better way to end the series than in Philadelphia?
What does it mean for the league?
Sitting Joel might be a ploy by the league and Sixers management to prolong the series so that it goes to Game 5 which will take place in Philadelphia. However, if the injury is real, it puts Embiid side by side with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyler Herro missing games for the Bucks and the Heat respectively.
In the West, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are absent from multiple games for the Clippers. Whereas Ja Morant also missed his team’s Game 2 because of a wrist injury.
Whatever might be the result of these games, it’s alarming for the league that its stars are getting injured when it matters the most. Then how come they are risking it all by introducing a mid-season tournament next season when there are voices to reduce the games from 82 in the season?
