It was clear heading into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals that NBA MVP Joel Embiid wouldn’t look like the version of himself that imposed his will on the rest of the league this year.
The kind of injury he has — a sprained LCL ligament in his knee — typically has a 4-6 week recovery period. He hadn’t played in nearly two weeks before suiting up Wednesday night, and he hadn’t been able to run at practice through Monday night, according to coach Doc Rivers.
Still, Philadelphia’s star center gave it a try on Wednesday night.