Doc Rivers unsure how much time Joel Embiid will miss with knee sprain
The Sixers center experienced swelling and soreness in his right knee on Thursday, triggering the MRI that revealed his knee sprain.
NEW YORK — Joel Embiid’s right knee was sore — and already swelling — following the 76ers’ Game 3 win over the Brooklyn Nets Thursday night, coach Doc Rivers said.
That’s what triggered Friday’s MRI, which revealed the sprain that kept him out of Saturday’s series-ending 96-88 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 at Barclays Center. Beyond that, however, Rivers said he is unsure how long the injury will sideline the MVP frontrunner.
The Eastern Conference semifinals against either the Boston Celtics or the Atlanta Hawks are not likely to begin before next weekend.
Update: Sixers top Brooklyn Nets, 96-88, to sweep first-round series without Joel Embiid
Paul Reed started at center and delivered 10 points and 15 rebounds (8 offensive). Montrezl Harrell saw just under five minutes as his backup. The rest of the time the Sixers went with P.J. Tucker in the backup center spot. The Sixers are now 12-5 this season without Embiid.
”I’m going to have the expectation that we should win the game,” Rivers said before the game. “You have to have that as a coach. You have to make sure your players believe that, and that’s what I’ll do.”
» READ MORE: Live Blog: Philly goes for sweep in Brooklyn without injured Joel Embiid
The Nets had built their defensive game plan in this series around double-teaming Embiid, a strategy Rivers jokingly welcomed his opponent to continue with superstar center off the floor.
Rivers said he spoke to Embiid Friday night, and understood any frustration the big man feels about another playoff injury.
”This is another obstacle in the story that we’re going to write this year,” Rivers said he told Embiid. “You’re going to be OK. It may take a minute, but this is just part of it.”
House misses Game 4
Sixers reserve Danuel House remained out with a non-COVID illness.
House was officially ruled out for Game 3 with the sickness just after Thursday’s tipoff. He played four total minutes in Games 1 and 2, after getting more rotation time down the stretch of the regular season.
House averaged 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 56 regular-season games, and is known for his athleticism and defensive physicality.