NEW YORK — Joel Embiid will miss Game 4 versus the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at the Barclays Center with a sprained right knee, a league source confirmed to The Inquirer.
The 76ers center suffered the injury in Thursday’s 102-97 Game 3 victory, possibly when Nets guard Cam Johnson collided with Embiid’s knee underneath the basket in the third quarter. The six-time All-Star was in noticeable pain and limped up the court. However, he remained in the game, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal.
An MRI on Friday in Philadelphia revealed the sprain. The Sixers are optimistic Embiid could be ready to return as early as next week.
The Sixers have a commanding 3-0 series lead and will attempt to close out the best-of-seven series with a victory Saturday. If they win the series against the Nets, they would face either the Boston Celtics or Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics took a 2-0 series advantage into Friday’s game Game 3 matchup against the Hawks. If Boston wins Friday and on Sunday, they could face the Sixers as early as Thursday.
ESPN first confirmed that Embiid will miss Saturday’s game.
