Joel Embiid injury update: Is the NBA MVP playing tonight in NBA playoffs Game 2 against Boston Celtics? (May 3, 2023)
The Sixers hope to have their MVP back for Game 2 vs. Celtics
NBA MVP 2022-23 season Sixers' Joel Embiid (Via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to get some good news on their MVP center Joel Embiid, who missed Game 1 of their second-round series against the Boston Celtics with a sprained right knee.
Embiid suffered the injury in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets and has not played since Game 3. The Sixers won the series opener 119-115 on Monday, as James Harden scored a playoff career-high 45 points and hit a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds of the game.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Embiid is on track to play in Game 2 on Wednesday night, as long as he does not experience any setbacks. Sources also said that Embiid told his Sixers teammate after his MVP announcement on Tuesday night that he was ready to return.
If Embiid does suit up for Game 2, he will have a tough matchup against the Celtics’ frontcourt, which features All-Star Jayson Tatum, who had 39 points and 11 rebounds in Game 1, and Celtics’ Forward Jaylen Brown, who had 23 points and six rebounds.
Joel Embiid Claims MVP Honors, Outplays Jokic and Antetokounmpo
Embiid was named the NBA MVP for the 2022-23 season on Tuesday night by the “NBA on TNT” crew, beating out Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Embiid lead the league in scoring, averaging 33.1 points per game. He also averaged 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game and shot 54.8 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 86.9 percent from the free-throw line.
The Sixers will need Embiid to assert himself in the paint and draw fouls from the Celtics’ big men, while also showing his versatility with his outside shooting. Embiid will also have to anchor the Sixers’ defense and protect the rim from the Celtics’ drives.
The Celtics will try to even the series at one game apiece when they face the 76ers again on Wednesday night at TD Garden. On the other hand, the 76ers will try to take a commanding lead of 2-0 in the series. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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