Joel Embiid Ruled Out vs. Wizards Due to Right Knee Soreness

Philadelphia's star center took a hard fall in Game 4 against the Wizards in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

76ers center Joel Embiid exited Philadelphia's contest against the Wizards in the first quarter Monday night due to right knee soreness.

Embiid was ruled out for the game shortly before halftime as Philadelphia held a 61–60 lead. He appeared to injure his knee on a drive to the basket against Wizards center Robin Lopez.

No official word from the Sixers yet on Joel Embiid’s injury, but here’s the fall he took not long before leaving for the locker room.pic.twitter.com/s3NufD3LXs

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) June 1, 2021

Joel Embiid - right knee soreness - will not return.

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 1, 2021

Embiid torched the Wizards in the first three games of the first-round series as Philadelphia took a 3–0 lead. He tallied 36 points and eight rebounds in Game 3 on May 29, finishing the night 14–18 from the field in a 132–103 victory. Embiid's hot start to the playoffs continues his brilliance from the regular season, where he averaged a career-high 28.5 points per game. 

Philadelphia ended up losing Game 4 122–114 and Game 5 will be on Wednesday. Embiid is doubtful to play, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

 The Sixers have reached the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, though they have yet to win the Eastern Conference since 2001. 

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