BOSTON — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid fell to the bottom throughout warmups earlier than Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Boston Celtics, however remained within the beginning lineup for the Christmas Day recreation.
Embiid was taking pictures close to the sideline about 45 minutes earlier than tipoff and gave the impression to be caught in a security rope separating gamers from followers seated courtside. The 2023 NBA MVP grabbed his proper ankle and stayed on the court docket for a minute earlier than heading to the locker room.
When the Sixers returned to the court docket for a separate shootaround minutes earlier than tipoff, Embiid was late to affix them. He ultimately got here out and warmed up as common, then was introduced as a member of Philadelphia’s beginning lineup.
A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid is averaging 20.6 factors and 6.8 rebounds per recreation this season, effectively under his profession averages. He missed all however 9 video games with left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter within the locker room.
Embiid wore a masks whereas enjoying solely his third recreation since breaking his sinus. He was ejected from his earlier recreation, Monday in opposition to San Antonio, after committing his second technical foul within the second quarter for arguing with referee Jenna Schroeder.
