Joel Embiid doubtful for Game 1 vs. Celtics / News - Basketnews.com

Doc Rivers says Joel Embiid (knee) is doubtful for Game 1 vs. Celtics

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Philadelphia 76erscoach Doc Rivers says NBA MVP finalistJoel Embiidis doubtful for Game 1 of the playoff series against theBoston Celticswith a sprained right knee.

Philadelphia 76ers / Schedule

Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ersMon23:30 Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ersThu00:00 Philadelphia 76ers Boston Celtics05-0523:30

Embiid was examined by doctors this week and has yet to practice ahead of Monday's Eastern Conference semifinals opener at Boston.

The Sixers have had the longest break of any NBA team after they swept theBrooklyn Netslast Saturday. Embiid was hurt in Game 3 and missed the next game.

"If I was a betting man, I would probably say doubtful for at least Game 1, but we'll see," Rivers said Saturday at the 76ers' facility in New Jersey." He has to get better. He did nothing (today). Just wasn't able to, and obviously, we were hopeful for today."

The 29-year-old Embiid, from Cameroon, averaged 33.1 points this season to win his second straight scoring title. He also averaged 10.2 rebounds and tied a career-high with 4.2 assists per game. He played in 66 games, the second-highest total of his career.

Embiid missed two games in the second round last year and another in the first round in 2021 with various injuries, on top of the two, he missed to begin the 2018 playoffs with an orbital fracture and another in 2019, also with a knee problem.

Embiid averaged 36.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in four games this season against the Celtics.

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