Joel Embiid Ruled Out Against Knicks

Joel Embiid is out tonight vs. Knicks. More evaluation on left shoulder sprain ongoing, per source.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2020

Joel Embiid is set to miss his 16th game on the season tonight against the New York Knicks. Last night, he suffered a sprained left shoulder after meeting Cavs’ Center, Ante Zizic, hard in the post.

Keith Pompey is reporting that he may have suffered an AC or SC sprain. Injuries like this seem to be unpredictable, as he says his recovery could be anywhere between 7-10 to 3-4 weeks.

While the #Sixers didn’t make it official last night, no one expected Joel Embiid to play tonight vs. #Knicks. He has either an AC sprain or an SC sprain. Depending on the grade, his recovery time could be anywhere from like 7-10 days to upwards of 3-4 weeks https://t.co/IVupgDYC0N

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 27, 2020

We are staring down the barrel of Re-Evaluated in 2 weeks’ territory.

This will be the first time Embiid and Simmons are not in the Sixers starting lineup this season. The Sixers will have to heavily rely on Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, and Al Horford to lead this young team to a win against the lowly Knicks.

The Sixers have been outstanding at home this season, collecting 27 wins in 29 games. The best in the NBA. They will be looking to enforce their will against the Knicks who are just 9-21 on the road.

I will not point out that this is the same away record the Sixers possess.

It will be interesting to see what Brett Brown decides to do at center in Embiid’s absence. Last night, he relied on Kyle O’Quinn and Al Horford at the 5, logging a combined 46 minutes. He will have Norvelle Pelle available coming off an upper respiratory infection.

Let us all just hope and pray that Joel Embiid has a speedy recovery.