Advertisement

76ers' Joel Embiid out for Game 5 vs. Wizards due to meniscus tear

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered the knee injury during Game 4 against the Washington Wizards on Monday night. File Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered the knee injury during Game 4 against the Washington Wizards on Monday night. File Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE

June 2 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia 76ers announced Wednesday that star center Joel Embiid suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and will miss Wednesday night's Game 5 against the Washington Wizards.

"An MRI, which was reviewed by several orthopedic specialists, revealed that Joel Embiid has a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee," the team said in a statement. "The injury will be managed with a physical therapy and treatment program. Embiid is out for [Wednesday's] game vs. Washington and considered day-to-day."

Advertisement

Embiid sustained the knee injury after a hard fall that knocked him out of the 76ers' 122-114 loss to the Wizards on Monday night in Game 4.

The 27-year-old Embiid collapsed to the floor after he made contact with Wizards center Robin Lopez near the rim. Lopez made a clean block on Embiid's shot attempt, but the All-NBA big man lost his balance on the way down and awkwardly crashed onto the floor.

Embiid grimaced in pain, but he remained in the game after a timeout and finished the first quarter. After checking out of the contest in the closing seconds of the first frame, he departed to the locker room with a slight limp and never returned.

Advertisement

On Tuesday, the 76ers listed Embiid as doubtful for Game 5 against the Wizards because of the knee injury. According to ESPN, the management of potential swelling and pain in the knee will play a major part in how soon Embiid is able to return to the court.

"I have no expectation other than I hope for him to be back," 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday. "I can't give you a timeline. I can just tell you he's willing to go through whatever it takes to get back on the floor. He's a warrior.

"And if there's a way for him to get back on the floor, he will find his way."

The 2021 NBA MVP finalist entered Monday's game averaging 30 points on 67% shooting in the first-round playoff series.

The Sixers hold a 3-1 lead over the Wizards in the best-of-seven series.

Latest Headlines