The Philadelphia 76ers must win Game 5 of their first-round series with the New York Knicks to extend their season. They’ll need a huge performance from Joel Embiid, but the superstar center isn’t certain to play Tuesday night.
According to the team, Embiid missed morning shootarounds because of a migraine. He also continues to deal with a knee injury.
The 2022-23 MVP remains listed as questionable.
Embiid, who was recently diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, said he was also dealing with migraines before Philadelphia’s play-in victory over the Miami Heat.
“It’s been tough, but I’m not a quitter,” Embiid told reporters last week. “So I got to keep fighting. … It’s unfortunate. That’s the way I look at it, but it’s not an excuse.”
Embiid returned on April 2 after missing two months to recover from surgery on the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He averaged 30.2 points over his final five regular-season games.
The 30-year-old has registered 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game during the first round. Embiid carried Philadelphia to a Game 3 victory with 50 points.
However, Embiid struggled mightily late in Sunday’s Game 4 loss. He scored one point in the final 12 minutes of a costly 97-92 home shortcoming.
The 76ers now must defeat the Knicks three straight times to advance, starting with Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden. That comeback effort will obviously be far tougher without a healthy and effective Embiid on the court.
Game 5 starts at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.