Joel Embiid’s comeback took an unexpected turn during Tuesday night’s matchup.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ standout departed prematurely, hobbling off the Chase Center court in the fourth quarter after suffering an awkward leg injury late in their 119-107 defeat to the Golden State Warriors. Embiid had sat out the 76ers’ previous two games due to a knee ailment but returned to action in San Francisco.
With just over four minutes remaining, Embiid found himself entangled in a scramble for possession. As he ended up on the court, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell onto his left knee, prompting Embiid to cry out in agony.
Subsequently, Embiid rose to his feet and made his way gingerly to the locker room without returning to the game. Despite the setback, the Warriors maintained a double-digit advantage and secured a 12-point victory.
Embiid’s stat line reflected 14 points and seven rebounds, with a 5-of-18 shooting record. Throughout the game, he made multiple visits to the locker room, indicating discomfort in his knee.
Details regarding the extent of his latest injury remain undisclosed. 76ers coach Nick Nurse clarified that the new injury differs from the previous ones that sidelined Embiid and mentioned plans for an MRI to assess the severity.
Nurse remarked, “Obviously medical cleared him … He said he’s a little rusty, he hadn’t been on the court for five days, but he said he felt good [before the game].”
Embiid’s absence from the 76ers’ recent matchup with the Denver Nuggets due to knee trouble sparked league scrutiny. Reports revealed that he struggled to perform during warmups, barely able to jump, leading to a last-minute withdrawal. This knee concern also sidelined him for Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He received clearance to play just hours before Tuesday’s contest.
Embiid’s season has seen him achieve a career-best average of 36 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. He has participated in 34 games so far, leaving room for only five more absences to remain eligible for end-of-season accolades.
On the opposing side, Stephen Curry led the Warriors’ charge with 37 points, complemented by eight rebounds and seven assists, along with an impressive 8-of-13 performance from beyond the arc. Kuminga contributed 26 points, while Andrew Wiggins added 23.
For the 76ers, Tobias Harris registered 26 points and 10 rebounds, with Furkan Korkmaz providing a notable 19 points off the bench. Kelly Oubre contributed 15 points. With their fourth consecutive loss, the 76ers’ season record stands at 29-16. They conclude their five-game road stint against the Utah Jazz on Thursday before returning home for the weekend.
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