Joel Embiid injury updates: 76ers star back for Game 2 vs. Celtics after winning MVP

Somehow, the Philadelphia 76ers won a thrilling Game 1 against the Boston Celtics to open their second round series in the 2023 NBA Playoffs without superstar big man Joel Embiid. With Philly clinging to a 1-0 series lead, Embiid is set to return to the lineup from a knee injury in Game 2.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Embiid is on track to re-enter the lineup. He hasn’t played since Game 3 of the Sixers’ first round series against the Brooklyn Nets.

Embiid was ruled out in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals as he continues to heal from an LCL Sprain (one that is said to be more serious than a Grade 1 LCL Sprain).

It didn’t matter: James Harden went off for 45 points, including this clutch dagger over Al Horford, to give the Sixers the win:

As Charania noted on the Fan Duel TV Show “Run it Back,” Embiid is a “warrior” and has been known to play through injuries during big games in the past (as evidenced by his return from a broken orbital bone in his face after missing just two games last postseason). But everything is still up in the air right now, and many within the organization view it as being a “miracle” if he does play.

Embiid was at shootaround ahead of Game 1 and did participate in some parts of practice, which is a sign that things are headed in the right direction and that, even if he can’t play in Game 1, he could be back before the series becomes unwinnable for Philadelphia.

Embiid suffered this injury midway through the third quarter of Game 3 of their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets. It happened while he was contesting Cameron Johnson’s drive to the rim. After the shot, the two players’ feet got tangled up, with Embiid landing awkwardly on top of Johnson.

Embiid managed to play through the injury for the rest of the game (likely because of adrenaline), even submitting the game-saving swat to secure a 102-97 victory over Brooklyn. He did not play in the fourth and final game of the series.

It goes without saying that the more games that Embiid misses, the more the 76ers’ chances of upsetting the title-favorite Celtics dwindle. Reed performed admirably in his place in Game 4 against Brooklyn, but even he can’t mime the impact that Embiid brings to the basketball court.

Embiid is not only one of the best players in our game but it has been widely speculated that when the NBA announces the winner of the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, it will be he that is hoisting up the trophy.

Hopefully, for Embiid’s sake and the sake of the entire basketball world, he’s back on the court soon.