Doc Rivers Explains Confidence in Joel Embiid-Less 76ers Team

With or without Joel Embiid, Doc Rivers remains confident in the 76ers.

Doc Rivers and the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t sure whether or not Joel Embiid will be healthy and ready to compete for his team when the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs begin.

During the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, Embiid began experiencing knee pain. After the game, swelling and soreness caused the Sixers to schedule an MRI the following the morning.

“He was complaining about some soreness behind the knee, which is always a scary thing when it’s behind the knee,” Doc Rivers said ahead of Game 4 against Brooklyn. “They were swelling already, which is way too early. So, we did an MRI. As a coach, I hate that word. I hate those three letters because it never comes out well. It just feels like that whenever they tell the coach, ‘Hey, we're going to get an MRI.’ You know, it doesn't turn out well, most of the time. And this one did not.”

Joel Embiid Misses Practice on Wednesday

The Sixers ruled Embiid out for the team’s Game 4 matchup against the Nets due to a knee sprain. Later, it was reported that Embiid was specifically dealing with an LCL sprain. This week, Embiid will be re-evaluated as the Sixers wait to find out who their next opponent will be.

Considering there’s a chance Embiid might not be ready for the next round, the Sixers are preparing for all scenarios when they take the floor next Monday for Game 1.

While the Sixers will certainly miss their MVP-caliber center — Doc Rivers and his team are confident that they can succeed in his absence if he’s not able to get the green light to play.

“Just look at our record all year,” Rivers said of the Sixers’ record with Embiid on the floor. “Look at our record last year and the year before. Each year we’ve gotten better when guys are injured.”

During Rivers’ first season as the Sixers’ head coach, Embiid missed 21 games. When off the floor, the Sixers went 10-11 in the big man’s absence. 

Embiid missed fewer games the following season. Although he was only out for 14 games last year, the Sixers went 6-8 in his absence. This season, Philadelphia found much more success in the games Embiid was off the floor.

After missing 16 games in 2022-2023, Embiid’s Sixers went 11-5 in his absence, which gives Rivers confidence that they can figure it out if the big man does miss some time. 

“The first year, in the first half of that year, we struggled,” Rivers continued. “Remember when we started winning a couple of games with one of our key guys out. Last year we were better. This year, we were way better. That’s what gives me confidence.”

76ers' Round 2 Schedule vs. Celtics

The Sixers should have another update regarding Embiid’s availability for Game 1 next week in the coming days. For the time being, they are preparing for round two without the big man on the floor. 

Philadelphia will begin its second-round series next Monday with a series against the Boston Celtics. Whether Embiid will be a participant in Game 1 or not is unclear.