Embiid appears ‘OK’ after ‘scary moment’ against Pistons
PHILADELPHIA >> One of those scary moments diehard Sixers fans dread occurred with 7:21 left in the third quarter Tuesday.
The Sixers were nursing a 71-67 lead over the outmanned yet stubborn Detroit Pistons when Joel Embiid stretched for a loose ball only to watch his left leg and surgically repaired knee bounce up like a truck driving down a bumpy road.
The Big Guy got up gingerly and limped off the floor, Sixers coach Nick Nurse calling time. Embiid had the knee checked and after a few words and deep breaths from the coach, stayed in the game.
“It was kind of an awkward moment for him,” Nurse said. “It looked like it was a little painful. But he went right to his kind of normal spot during the timeout, so he wasn’t coming out. So, it was just a scary moment for him. and everybody else, too. He’s OK.”
There were a few more tense moments like Marcus Sasser’s triple that got the Pistons within 71-70 with 7:06 left in the frame.
But the Sixers bounced back to take a 12-point lead into the final quarter, and Embiid worked out whatever soreness remained, finishing with 37 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to help the club to a critical 120-102 victory over the Pistons at Wells Fargo Center.
It was the 20th time in 38 games Embiid has netted at least 30 points, five boards, and five assists.
It was the sixth straight win for the Sixers (45-35), who are in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, hot on the heels of the Indiana Pacers (46-34), who defeated Toronto, 140-123. The Sixers elevated to 30-8 when Embiid is in the lineup this season.
After the game Embiid had very little to say other than “I’m fine.” The numbers backed him up.
Embiid exited with 3:25 left, the Sixers leading by 21 points. Thirty-six minutes was the most Embiid had played since having the meniscus in the left knee repaired. Conditioning wise, Nurse says Embiid is “OK.
“I think he’s still got some work to do on it yet,” Nurse said. “But we’re getting there, He’s kind of slowly inching up the ladder a little bit more each game.”