Philadelphia’s injury report continues to lengthen. One day after the 76ers announced All-Star guard Ben Simmons would need knee surgery, Joel Embiid was forced to leave Sunday’s game against Portland with a left ankle injury. He would not return and the Sixers say he will miss Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns (4:30 ET, League Pass).
According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there’s optimism that Embiid’s injury “isn’t serious” and he will return soon.
There's optimism that the Embiid ankle injury isn't serious and that he'll be back soon, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/yvCj70K6dv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 10, 2020
He left in the first quarter with what the team called a left ankle injury. He contested a shot, then backed up and stepped awkwardly into the stanchion. Embiid, who has averaged 30 points and 13.5 rebounds per game since the 2019-20 season resumed, is trying to lead Philadelphia to favorable playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
76ers coach Brett Brown wouldn’t say whether Embiid would miss time.
“I’m going to learn more physically,” Brown said. “I don’t know enough to comment on it.”
Philadelphia lost 124-121 on Sunday and is No. 6 in the East, one game behind the fourth-seeded Miami Heat and fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
