May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner
If the Sixers are going to be able to overcome a 39-point loss and even their series against the New York Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden, they are going to have to do it without star center Joel Embiid.
The oft-injured Embiid is being ruled out due to ankle and hip soreness. ESPN's Shams Charania first reported that Embiid tried to participate in the team's morning shootaround, but just wasn't able to get through it well enough to be a go for tonight.
Embiid missed the first three games of the opening series against the Celtics after having an appendectomy on April 9. He returned 17 days after that surgery and then played the final four games of the series and averaged 28 points a game. He scored just 14 on 3-for-11 shooting against the Knicks in Game 1, a 137-98 victory for New York.
Andre Drummond will most likely get the start for Embiid tonight, though coach Nick Nurse does like to play Adem Bona against perimeter-oriented teams, which the Knicks can be. Bona was called for five fouls in just over three minutes on Monday during his garbage-time run.
Game 3 of the series will be Friday night in Philadelphia. Only time will tell if Embiid will be ready by then.
