76ers’ Joel Embiid avoids serious injury, diagnosed with bruised knee
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid avoided a serious injury in Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Embiid was diagnosed with a bruised left knee following an MRI, and he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team said.
An MVP candidate for the East Conference-leading Sixers, Embiid hyperextended his knee after a one-handed dunk with 6:26 left in the third quarter.
He fell to the court and writhed in pain, grabbing his knee. Medics brought a stretcher onto the court, but Embiid got up and walked off the court limping without assistance.
After the victory against the Wizards, Sixers coach Doc Rivers said the team was hoping for the best, and that appears to be the case. While it looked like it could’ve been a significant injury, the MRI revealed no structural damage.
Embiid is having the best season of his career, averaging a career-highs in points (29.9), field goal percentage (52.5%), 3-point percentage (42.2%) and steals (1.2). He also grabs 11.5 rebounds and blocks 1.4 shots per game.
Philadelphia is 26-12 and owns a one-game lead over Brooklyn (25-13) and 2½-game lead over Milwaukee (23-14).
The Sixers will rely on their depth to replace Embiid’s minutes. Dwight Howard has been an adequate backup for Embiid, and Tony Clark and Vincent Poirier likely will receive additional playing time.
Howard averages 6.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game, and Bradley averages 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game. On Friday, Howard and Bradley combined for 12 points and 13 rebounds with 10 rebounds belonging to Howard.
“Hopefully … we can hold the fort,” Rivers said.
