Joel Embiid To Play In Sixers' Game 1 Against Atlanta Hawks At Wells Fargo Center
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- It turns out, Dwight Howard was right all along. Sixers All-Star center Joel Embiid will play in Sunday's Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center, the team announced.
The big fella is back and starting. pic.twitter.com/IOKcoRQgpy
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 6, 2021
Embiid is playing.
— Pat Gallen (@PatGallenCBS3) June 6, 2021
If the roof doesn't blow off the WFC and tumble into the Navy Yard when he's announced, then what are Sixers fans even doing?
Head coach Doc Rivers said Sunday morning Embiid would be a game-time decision due to a cartilage tear in his right knee.
Embiid was welcomed with cheers as he walked onto the court to shoot around prior to the game.
#JoelEmbiid is on the court shooting around. He is a game-time decision for today's game against the Hawks #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/8fLJYwqIl1
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) June 6, 2021
The 27-year-old Embiid averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds this season. He scored a postseason career-high 36 points in 28 minutes in a 29-point win for the Sixers in Game 3 over Washington.
#JoelEmbiid is a game-time decision for Game 1 against the #Atlanta Hawks. Do you think the #Sixers can win without Embiid? https://t.co/IiPJ8aTrL8
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) June 6, 2021
Embiid took a hard fall in Game 4 on Monday. He winced and put his hand on his lower right back and missed the series clincher two days later. He's been treated with physical therapy.
The Sixers made the Hawks wait until the last moment to reveal Embiid's status.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)