The Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals and are facing a matchup against the New York Knicks following a 109-100 Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics.
Philadelphia completed a 3-1 series comeback for the first time in franchise history, with Joel Embiid posting 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while logging 39 minutes in the series finale.
Embiid carried a heavy workload throughout the series, playing 36.6 minutes per game while averaging 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists after returning to action from the emergency appendectomy he underwent on Apr. 9.
Late in Game 7, Embiid was in visible discomfort following an unfortunate hit to his left knee by teammate Tyrese Maxey, who fell on the Sixers' center.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Sixers listed Embiid as "probable" for Game 1 against the Knicks with a right hip contusion on Sunday’s official injury report.
On Monday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed that "the expectation is that Joel Embiid plays (on Monday)."
While the 76ers have not removed Embiid from the injury report at the time of Charania's report, it looks like he should be cleared for the second-round opener at Madison Square Garden.
Charania's update should ease concerns stemming from the short turnaround between both series, with Game 1 scheduled just two days after Philadelphia’s Game 7 win over Boston.
Embiid’s presence was key for the Sixers' first-round victory, as he missed the first three games while watching Philadelphia fall behind 2-1 before returning for Game 4 against Boston and shifting the series dynamic entirely.
Game 1 between the Sixers and Knicks is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
