Update: Embiid’s MRI has revealed a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. He’s out for Game 5 against the Wizards on Wednesday night and is considered day-to-day moving forward.
We in the media are not doctors, though as Chase Hughes of NBC Sports notes, a sports medicine study in 2012 found that players that suffered torn meniscuses missed, on average, 40 days.
WASHINGTON D.C. â Joel Embiid left Game 4 due to right knee soreness after just 11 minutes on the floor at Capital One Arena. Embiid is doubtful to play in Game 5 after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday and he’ll be further evaluated on Wednesday.
The Sixers know that they need Embiid in the lineup to achieve their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship. As for this series against the Wizards? The team remains confident that they can get their fourth win over Washington without their MVP candidate.
“Weâre going to need him to be the last team standing, to win,â Sixers guard Danny Green told FortyEightMinutes and other media in Washington after Game 4. âIt doesnât mean we canât win the next game without him.â
Embiid injured his knee earlier this season in Washington, something that caused him to miss 10 straight contests and severely impact the big man’s MVP chances. Philadelphia was 10-11 without Embiid on the season.
Washington is dealing with injuries of their own. Russell Westbrook suffered an ankle injury in Game 2 and although he’s been able to play in the ensuing two games, he’s had to leave the floor at times to go to the locker room as part of the team’s maintenance plan for him. The team saw Davis Bertans leave the floor in Game 4 and he’ll miss the remainder of the postseason with a calf injury.
