Joel Embiid to miss Game 2 vs. Knicks due to ankle, hip injuries
Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) checks the board during a break against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid, who has been battling injuries throughout these playoffs, is out for Game 2 on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks with a right ankle sprain and right hip soreness.
Embiid was originally listed as probable on the injury report, but was unable to participate in the 76ers’ shootaround on Wednesday morning after experiencing increased soreness in both his ankle and hip. He had been receiving around-the-clock treatment in an effort to play, but is unable to go.
The 32-year-old, just over two weeks after receiving an emergency appendectomy, returned for Game 4 against the Boston Celtics in Round 1. In five playoff games, Embiid has averaged 25.2 points on 42.4 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 34.2 minutes. He played in 38 games in the regular season, after playing just 19 the year before, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. Embiid dealt with numerous injuries over the regular season.
In Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, Embiid had 14 points and shot 3-for-11 from the field in 25 minutes. Head coach Nick Nurse pulled Embiid at the beginning of the fourth quarter while the Sixers trailed by a large margin. Embiid, late in Game 7 in Boston, suffered an ankle injury, and just two days later, in Game 1, caught Mikal Bridges running into his stomach.
When Embiid missed the first three games against the Celtics, Nurse started Adem Bona in all three, rotating Andre Drummond for the majority of the minutes. Since Embiid’s return, Drummond has been the primary backup. The Sixers could start Bona to match up against the mobile and shot-threatening big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Game 2 tips off from New York City at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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