76ers’ Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 4 with sprained knee

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid will sit out because of asprained right knee when the Philadelphia 76ers try to complete asweep of the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

The 76ers added the All-Star center to the injury report Fridaynight, a night after he was limping multiple times during their102-97 victory in Game 3.

The NBA’s leading scorer did block a shot to protect a two-pointlead with 8.8 seconds left and said after the game he was OK.

Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, has been hit byinjuries in the playoffs most of his career. He suffered a tornligament in his right thumb and an orbital fracture last year inthe playoffs. He’s missed other postseason games with knee injuriesand illness.

The 76ers can’t afford to have Embiid miss much time if theywant to make a serious run at their first NBA championship since1983.

Embiid dodged an ejection Thursday night when he kicked his legup toward Nets center Nic Claxton’s groin. Claxton had just dunkedand Embiid fell to the court after fouling him. Claxton then slowlystepped over Embiid, who kicked up his leg into Claxton’s upper legarea before players from both teams rushed in.

After a video review, Embiid was given a flagrant foul 1.