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The Philadelphia 76ers will try to close out their series against the Brooklyn Nets without Joel Embiid in Game 4 on Saturday.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski had this to report:
"An MRI revealed Sixers star Joel Embiid suffered a sprained right knee and will miss Game 4 vs. Brooklyn on Saturday. There’s optimism he could be ready to return as soon as early next week."
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"The Process" played 38 minutes in Game 3 and finished with 14 points, 10, rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks. His crucial denial against Spencer Dinwiddie in the last few seconds of the game helped push the Philadelphia 76ers to a 3-0 lead in the series.
Joel Embiid didn't look troubled by any injury in Game 3 or in any part of their first-round series versus the Brooklyn Nets. The All-Star center is averaging 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.10 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in the series.
Embiid's numbers have dropped compared to his regular-season numbers due to the Brooklyn Nets' strategy of double-teaming him every time he touches the ball. Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn would rather be beaten by someone other than the potential NBA MVP.
The plan nearly worked out in Game 3 as the Nets almost pulled off a win. Embiid, however, made a huge impact with his defense, swatting away Dinwiddie's crucial point-blank layup.
Brooklyn will have a big opportunity to break through in the series as "The Process" has already been ruled out for Game 4.
The Philadelphia 76ers can still sweep the Brooklyn Nets without Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers have a big edge in firepower against the Brooklyn Nets. They may not need the potential MVP to close out the series on Saturday.
Philly has held up surprisingly well without the two-time NBA scoring champ. They are 11-5 in the regular season without "The Process." Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, De'Anthony Melton and former MVP James Harden may be enough to finish the job.
The "Beard" is averaging 17.3 points, 8.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals against his former team. He will be asked to take up a bigger scoring burden without Embiid in the lineup.
Saturday night will be a big opportunity for Tyrese Maxey to show Doc Rivers that he's ready for the limelight. Maxey leads the Sixers in scoring with 23.7 PPG in the series on 16.0 attempts per game.
The 76ers will try to get him going early and often. He is unquestionably their most dynamic player and could break out as a bona fide star in the playoffs.
Philadelphia may not have Joel Embiid, but they're certainly not lacking in firepower to complete a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.
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