Embiid was injured in G4 against Wizards. He fell to the ground after a layup was blocked by his opponent, and then returned to the locker room for examination and treatment, and withdrew from the game. After MRI examination, it was confirmed that he had encountered meniscus tear Jr. on the lateral side of his right knee. Suffering from such injuries in this period of the playoffs is a big blow and a heavy blow to Embiid and the whole team.
At present, Philadelphia has a bright prospect in the first round. It was 3-0 before. Although it was pulled back to 3- 1, but their G5 returned to the home game, the team still had a very good chance to win the game and advance. With Embiid's injury, the prospect of this series began to become unclear. Although Philadelphia still has the strength advantage of eliminating opponents, will Embiid's injury, as well as the injuries of Bill and Shao Wei, have a psychological impact on other teammates? If G5 can play another game on the road, then this series, Philadelphia will become very dangerous.
This season, Embiid averaged 28.5 points 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists 1 steals10.4 blocks. He is a popular candidate for MVP, but he missed too many games because of injury, which made him slightly inferior to Jokic in the MVP competition. Embiid has played four games since the playoffs, including the injury in the first quarter of the fourth game. In these four games, he played 23.8 minutes per game, contributing 24 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists 1 stealing 0.5 blocks. His playing time was short, and the team tried to protect him, but in the end, he still couldn't escape the injury.
Philadelphia coach Old Rivers said in an interview: "I think he will come back before the end of the playoffs, or I hope it may be more appropriate. He will receive corresponding treatment, and we will observe his recovery progress every day before deciding what will happen later. "
It is not difficult to see from Lao Li's words that because he is in the critical period of the playoffs, the team hopes that he can come back before the end of the playoffs after avoiding surgery. Lao Li's tone is uncertain, which is more their subjective hope than objective and exact statement. After all, the recovery speed of conservative treatment needs to be determined according to Embiid's own physical condition, and he can return to his ideal. And Philadelphia has gone far enough in the playoffs, and Embiid may come back. But if his recovery is not as expected, or Philadelphia bid farewell to the playoffs early, then they may not wait for Embiid to return from injury.
Philadelphia worked hard for a season and won the first place in the East. Judging from the performance of the whole season, as long as they stay healthy, they do have the strength to hit the championship, and Embiid is their guarantee to hit the championship. But now, Embiid's injury has undoubtedly cast a thick shadow over their championship prospects. If Embiid's recovery is not ideal, not to mention being reversed by the Wizards in the first round, he will face the Hawks or Knicks in the next round. If Embiid is absent, Philadelphia will probably feel very sorry for them. Let alone wait until Dong is sure to face the Nets or Bucks.
It can be said that Embiid's injury has a great influence on the pattern in the east. If he stays healthy, the team that finally rushes out of the East is Philadelphia, the Nets and the Bucks. But now, the Nets and Bucks have become the biggest beneficiaries. No matter who wins the second round and advances to the Eastern Conference finals, they will face four potential opponents in another division, the Hawks, the Knicks, the Wizards and Philadelphia, which has no Embiid or has just returned.