2023-05-03 14:42:06
Joel Embiid, however uncertain at the start of the day, should play well tonight in Game 2 once morest the Celtics. Absent in the first round, Doc Rivers had announced earlier in the day that he would not take any risks with his superstar who became MVP last night. But Jojo announced it in his locker room: he’s back.
Will play, won’t play? It’s a bit the big question that everyone has been asking since this morning. And it must be said that the presence or not of the newly elected MVP can change everything. Joel Embiid, as we know, has been hit in the knee since Game 3 once morest the Nets and is quietly healing his wounds. In his absence, James Harden took over and won (almost single-handedly) Game 1 in Boston.
Tipped to participate in this second game yesterday, Joel Embiid should indeed hold his rank, barring a relapse. According Shams Charania, one of the NBA’s most trusted insiders, Jojo reportedly announced his return to the Philly locker room. Boston aspen:
“After winning the MVP title last night, (…) Joel Embiid turned to his team and announced: “I’m back”.
After winning MVP last night, during a quick 76ers celebration, Joel Embiid turned to the team and said: “I’m back.”
Embiid should therefore return to the court tonight for game 2 once morest the Celtics, unless the situation turns around. – The Athletic, Stadium.Embiid is indeed on track to return tonight in Game 2 vs. Celtics barring setbacks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 3, 2023
The Sixers were less optimistic at the start of the day, however. Doc Rivers announcing not wanting to take any risks with its interior:
“His status has not changed or evolved. But he practiced today. He’s training with some of our guys right now, and I’ll have the report when he gets back. But the fact that he does this is a step forward, that’s for sure.
It’s just a matter of health for tonight. If he can play, he plays. If he can’t, he can’t. And if it’s 50-50, we’ll probably make the mistake of not playing him, because that’s what we’ve been doing all year to preserve him as best we can.
The main element that might have justified Jojo’s absence tonight was obviously the Game 1. Philly a won the first match and thus regained the home advantage. Anyway, it counts. But Philly wants to put the odds on its side to leave the Garden with a 2-0 which would still be quite a tour de force. If Jojo is aligned tonight, we still imagine that Doc Rivers will spare his star with reduced minutes with a view to a series that might last.
See you at 2 a.m. tonight for match 2 of this series… Normally with Joel Embiid on the floor.
Source : ESPN, The Athletic, Shams Charania, Stadium
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