Joel Embiid is reportedly “on track” to return for Game 2 of the 76ers-Celtics semifinal series on Wednesday night.
Fresh off winning the league’s MVP award on Tuesday, Embiid—barring any setbacks—will return to the 76ers’ lineup for the first since spraining his right knee’s LCL during Game 3 of Philadelphia’s opening-round series against the Nets. However, in Wednesday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith explicitly stated that Embiid’s return for Game 2 “is a mistake.”
“I think it is a mistake,” Smith told JJ Redick and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. “I don’t think Embiid should play tonight. I think you got the game you wanted in Boston. I think Boston is desperate.
“They come out here tonight and if you’re Embiid to me, I would use that additional few days as a rest and come back ready for game 3 … Because of health, his shaky history of healthy … I think with the 76ers have gotten Game 1, I think he should wait, miss game 2 and come back ready game 3 and do his thing.”
While Smith disagreed with Embiid’s return for Game 2, Redick and Russo were excited about the MVP’s projected return on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Embiid received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on his knee that he hopes will improve his healing from the injury.
The six-time All-Star is averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season on 54.8% shooting from the floor.
