Sixers’ Doc Rivers considers Joel Embiid ‘doubtful for at least Game 1’ vs. Celtics

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Rivers considers Embiid ‘doubtful for at least Game 1’ of Celtics series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CAMDEN, N.J. — Doc Rivers does not submit the injury report.

However, the Sixers’ head coach had an unofficial listing for Joel Embiid ahead of his team’s second-round playoff series opener Monday night against the Celtics.

“Obviously, the doctors looked at him (yesterday),” Rivers said Saturday of Embiid, who’s been sidelined by a right knee sprain. “He didn’t do anything today. I’ll say this: If I was a betting man, I would probably say doubtful for at least Game 1, but we’ll see. … He did nothing today. Nothing yet — just wasn’t able to. And obviously, we were hopeful for today.”

After completing a first-round sweep of the Nets last Saturday, the Sixers have practiced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Embiid participated in none of those sessions.

Meanwhile, the Celtics needed six games to handle the Hawks in Round 1. Rivers has plenty of respect for an opponent that won 57 regular-season games and is aiming for a second consecutive Eastern Conference title.

“They’re a terrific team,” he said. “They’re well-coached. They spread the floor, they attack. They’re deep; they have a lot of weapons. Obviously, (Jayson Tatum) and (Jaylen Brown), but (Al) Horford, (Derrick) White, (Malcolm) Brogdon — you can just keep going down the list. They just have a lot of guys that can play basketball.

“And like I’ve said with other teams, they’ve been to the Finals — they get it. They’ve been through any type of adversity. Nothing’s going to shake them, and we’ve got to be ready for that.”

Last postseason, the Sixers faced similar Embiid injury-related adversity to begin the second round. They fell into a 2-0 series deficit against the Heat with Embiid out because of an orbital fracture and concussion and ultimately lost in six games.

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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2023-04-29 19:54:00

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