The MRI results came in the other day regarding Joel Embiid's injured right knee, and the news is not promising--the 27-year-old superstar has a small tear in his lateral meniscus. No, it isn't a torn ACL, torn quadricep, or any of the other many possible lower extremity issues that tend to spell doom on a player's season, but it is nonetheless far from optimal.
The Sixers have not ruled Embiid out for the postseason, and Doc Rivers has stated he is hopeful the big man can return. He even participated in pre-game warmups the other day without any substantial limitations or brace, though he did ultimately miss the Sixers series clinching game 5 victory over the Wizards.
The Sixers intend to manage the center's latest injury 'with a physical therapy and treatment program.' Again, nothing has been made official, but I would be surprised to see Embiid appear in any game against the Hawks in this upcoming series unless the Sixers find themselves down by multiple games early or facing elimination. Which, by the way, is not out of the question--Atlanta has been a terrific team in the second half of the season, and they just dispatched the Knicks in only five games.
Bigger picture, though--this is just the latest in a career marred by injury after injury. Embiid has played in just 260 out of 555 (46.8%) possible regular season games since being drafted, a span that includes what should have been his rookie and sophomore seasons wiped entirely. Since his rookie year proper, he has managed to see the court for 66.5% of games. Essentially, his entire career has been play two games, sit one, rinse and repeat. The Sixer Sense put together this detailed and very well-written, thus very deflating, summary of Embiid's historically spotty health. Read it at your own peril.
Otherwise, don't bet the house on the Sixers even making it past the second round without their north star.