Is Joel Embiid In Danger Of Missing The Eastern Conference Semifinals?

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is currently sidelined due to a sprained right knee and he could wind up missing time during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Philadelphia 76ers were the only team to sweep in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs this year, as they defeated the Brooklyn Nets 4-0. However, there is a lot of concern coming out of this series for Philadelphia, as superstar big man Joel Embiid, who many think will win this season's MVP award, suffered a right knee sprain in Game 3. 

While the injury was downplayed at first, more details have come out surrounding Embiid's knee injury and now, there are questions being asked about his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which could begin as early as Saturday, April 29. 

On Monday, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne gave an update on Embiid's status, stating that he has a sprained LCL in his right knee. 

.@ramonashelburne with the latest on Joel Embiid’s status from NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/3wSAYyI1t1

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) April 24, 2023

Ramona Shelburne: "He has a sprained LCL in his right knee, that's the lateral collateral ligament. When he first went down with this injury, the sense is that it would be one, maybe two weeks depending on how he feels. Now, he's going to be re-evaluated in the middle of this week, but the injury happened on April 20. The second-round starts April 29, that's right in that window where he could come back in time... It will depend on what happens in his evaluation this week in the middle of the week and I am told he's doing better and he's moving around better, the swelling has subsided, but when he gets in there with the doctors and they see how he feels, you're not going to push it with something like that. In terms of severity, it is something he can come back from, but an LCL is an LCL."

There is certainly a sense of optimism coming out of Philadelphia that Embiid will be ready to go and will not miss any time during the team's upcoming Eastern Conference Semifinals series, but his current injury is really all about pain tolerance and if his knee begins to swell. 

The 76ers have been on the cusp of being a championship contender in the Eastern Conference for quite some time, but they have been unable to advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals in recent years, losing in that round of the postseason four of the last five seasons. 

Injuries have played a big part of this team's demise in the playoffs, as Joel Embiid had to deal with a meniscus tear in 2021 and then a concussion and orbital bone fracture during the playoffs a season ago. 

In the event that Embiid is forced to miss a game or two of this next round series, Paul Reed figures to see his role expand, as the back-up big man has stepped up for the Sixers on numerous occasions this season. 

Most recently, Reed started in Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets, logging 32 minutes and recording 10 points and 15 rebounds. 

At this time, the 76ers have not given any updates on Joel Embiid's knee injury and they will most likely keep things in-house until he is re-evaluated later this week.