NEW YORK–The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to move on and eliminate the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon in Game 4 of this first round series without Joel Embiid. The big fella is dealing with a right knee sprain that will hold him out for this potential closeout game and the Sixers will now have to move on until he recovers.
Before the contest on Saturday afternoon, coach Doc Rivers gave the reasoning for why Embiid got an MRI as he cited Embiid complaining about soreness after the Game 3 win on Thursday.
“The tests after the game in the locker room,” said Rivers. “In the game, think about it, he made two amazing plays. The blocked shot was huge, but from my understanding, they checked his knee out right after the game because he was complaining about some soreness behind the knee which is always a scary thing when it’s behind the knee with players. There was swelling already which is way too early so we did the MRI.”
The MRI obviously revealed a negative impact on the Sixers, and therefore, Rivers was not happy when he heard those three letters when it concerns his MVP leader.
“As a coach, I hate that word,” he added. “I hate those three letters because it never comes out well. It just feels like that whenever they tell a coach ‘Hey we’re gonna get an MRI’. It doesn’t turn out well most of the time and this one did not turn out well.”
In terms of how long Embiid will be out, Rivers is not sure when he can expect him to return. A potential Game 5 of this series with the Nets is scheduled for Monday back in Philadelphia.
“I don’t know,” he stated. “I can’t answer that, but I’m not sure. I will say that.”
It is really unfortunate for Embiid. It seems he is always dealing with an injury in the postseason and this is yet another obstacle for him to overcome. He has to be able to stay the course and just stay ready in order to help the Sixers get over the top instead of a “here we go again” feeling that can be easy for him to fall into.
“I talked to him last night,” Rivers said. “Obviously, clearly, that’s on your mind. It is. This is another obstacle in the story that we’re gonna write this year. You’re gonna be OK. This is just part of it and that, to me, I’m sure. He’s human and ‘Goodness. This happens again’.”
Rivers’ message to Embiid is to just stay focused on the task at hand.
“Let’s win,” he finished. “Let’s get him back on the floor and let’s keep on our own…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Sixers Wire…