Pain level will determine Embiid’s G1 availability

12:03 pm | April 12, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:

3:27 PM ET

Tim BontempsESPN

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid‘s status for Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets remains in limbo.

“I have no idea,” Embiid told reporters, when asked if he would be able to play against Brooklyn when the series begins Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Speaking before he would be a partial participant in Friday’s practice, Embiid admitted he has been experiencing increasing pain in his left knee, and said that whether he will be able to open the series against the Nets will be determined by how manageable the pain is — an admission, in itself, that it would not be pain-free.

“It’s about the pain in my knee,” Embiid said. “I’ve just got to keep working through it, and see how I feel every day.”

Sixers general manager Elton Brand told reporters before Wednesday’s season finale against the Chicago Bulls that it was “possible” Embiid wouldn’t be ready for the beginning of the team’s postseason run.

Embiid missing time has become a common theme for the Sixers over the past two months. After missing just four of the team’s first 60 games leading into the All-Star Break, Embiid, who averaged 27.5 points and 13.4 rebounds in 64 regular-season games, has played only eight of Philadelphia’s 22 games since then — including sitting out the first eight games following the All-Star Game, in which he played 23 minutes, and five of the team’s final seven regular-season contests.

He made it clear Friday that whether he plays or not will be his decision.

“It’s my decision because I’m the one feeling the pain and it’s my body,” Embiid said. “[The team is] going to do whatever they can as far as getting me ready and healthy, but if my body doesn’t respond based on the pain level, there’s really nothing you can do.”