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Friday, March 29, 2024

Rivers doubts Embiid plays in Celtics opener

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WASHINGTON—NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid is doubtful to play in Monday’s opening game of Philadelphia’s second-round playoff series against Boston on Monday, 76ers coach Doc Rivers said on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Cameroonian 7-footer (2.13m) suffered a sprained right knee in game three of the 76ers’ sweep over Brooklyn in their best-of-seven first-round series.

Joel Embiid AFP

Embiid, who averaged 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds a game for the Sixers, will have rested for 10 days before the 76ers visit Boston for the opener against the Celtics.

“He didn’t do anything today,” Rivers said after a weekend workout. “If I was a betting man, I would probably say doubtful for at least game one, but we’ll see.”

In four games against Boston this season, Embiid averaged 36.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

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The Celtics went 3-1 against the 76ers this season.

Embiid missed the first two games of last year’s second round of the playoffs against Miami with a right orbital bone fracture and the Sixers lost to the Heat in six games.

Embiid also missed playoff games in 2018 with a left orbital fracture.

Boston has won five consecutive playoff series against Philadelphia, which last ousted the Celtics in the post-season in 1982 Eastern Conference finals.

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