76ers' Joel Embiid 'questionable' for Game 3 vs. Knicks due to ankle sprain, hip soreness
Embiid was sidelined for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series.
After delivering a herculean effort on the road to bounce the Boston Celtics and complete the franchise’s first-ever 3-1 playoff comeback, Joel Embiid implored Philadelphia 76ers fans to not sell their Eastern Conference semifinals tickets . The Sixers’ standout big man didn’t want a repeat of their first-round playoff series versus the New York Knicks two seasons ago, in which the Knicks advanced in six games while Philadelphia’s then-Wells Fargo Center became an extension of New York’s Madison Square Garden. Regardless of what kind of home-court advantage the Sixers have at what’s now Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night, Embiid might not be able to play in front of the crowd in attendance, as he’s officially “questionable” for Game 3.
Embiid is still listed with hip and ankle injuries , which kept him out of a gut-wrenching Game 2 defeat in New York that concluded a back-and-forth affair in MSG . The Sixers now trail the Knicks 2-0 in the series. More specifically, the often-injured seven-time All-Star is dealing with a right ankle sprain and right hip soreness , per the Sixers’ initial Game 3 injury report, which was revealed Thursday.
Notably, Knicks forward OG Anunoby is also considered questionable. He’s nursing a hamstring strain in his right leg. Anunoby, one of the hottest shooters in this year’s postseason, sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
Knicks wing Josh Hart is questionable, too. He’s listed with a left thumb sprain. The full injury report for Friday night in Phllly -- both Hart and OG listed as questionable.