Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is out for Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Washington Wizards. An MRI revealed Embiid has a small tear in his right meniscus and he is listed as day-to-day, the 76ers announced.
Embiid suffered the injury in the first quarter of Game 4 against the Wizards. He posted eight points and six rebounds limping off the court and heading to the locker room in the final minutes of the first quarter. He did not return to the game and was initially diagnosed with right knee soreness.
Embiid fell awkwardly after having his layup attempt blocked by Wizards center Robin Lopez midway through the quarter.
He is averaging 24 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 65.3% from the field, 46.2% from three and 88.9% from the free throw line. His presence will surely be missed by the 76ers, who were searching for answers in Game 4 without Embiid on the floor.
Philadelphia squandered the opportunity to close out the series and sweep the Wizards in Game 4. Now, they’ll have to regroup without Embiid. Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris are sure to be the focal point for the 76ers for Wednesday.
However, Wizards head coach deployed a “Hack-a-Ben” approach towards Simmons. Simmons was 0-of-10 from the free throw line the first three games. Thus Brooks halted any Philadelphia momentum by fouling Simmons and sending him to the free throw line.
Simmons made 5-of-11, as the Wizards rallied to win 122-114 to stay alive in the series. Now without Embiid, the spotlight will shine on how 76ers head coach Doc Rivers uses Simmons and counters the Wizards’ approach.
The loss of Embiid could be a series-changing injury. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The Wizards will be looking to be the first, trying to steal its second straight game Wednesday night in Philadelphia.
