Despite sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Joel Embiid’s sprained right knee that he sustained during Game 3 casts a shadow of doubt over the Philadelphia 76ers’ championship aspirations.

While we still don’t know the exact timetable for Embiid’s return, The Athletic’s NBA insider Shams Charania reported that there’s optimism the big man will be back in the lineup when the Eastern Conference Semifinals roll around.

Shams on Joel Embiid’s return

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“There is optimism [Joel Embiid] will be able to play in Game 1 one of their next series,” Shams says. “He had a sprained knee and I think they believe this about a one week injury. Assuming the next series starts this upcoming weekend, the hope is that Joel Embiid will be in the lineup. He went down a few times in that Nets Game 3, but thankfully it wasn’t anything major.”

When it was initially reported that Embiid has suffered a sprained knee, the general consensus was that this would not be a season-ending injury. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news and within the same Tweet, he stated that Embiid could ready to return “as early as next week.”

This is obviously great news for the Sixers. Without Embiid in the lineup, their championship hopes are completely dead. Now, fresh off their first playoff sweep since 1991, it’s full steam ahead for Embiid and Co.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images