Conventional wisdom said Joel Embiid wouldn't play in Game 4 of the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. Not only did Philadelphia hold a 2-1 lead after winning two straight following Brooklyn's stunning series-opening victory, but Embiid was also listed as doubtful on Friday after watching Game 3 in street clothes.
Unfortunately for the Nets, though, the Sixers' superstar big man indeed suited up on Saturday, putting together the type of dominant performance that seemed impossible given nagging pain in his left knee that dates back to February, leading Philadelphia to tightly-contested 112-108 victory. Before the game, Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson expressed frustration at Embiid's status only being announced mere minutes before tipoff.
“We find out their starting lineup with about five minutes to go,” he said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. “I don't know, but somehow we got to figure that one out as media, league.”
In retaliation, the Nets didn't make their starting lineup – which changed for Game 4 to include Caris LeVert and Jared Dudley – nearly as early as they usually do. Sixers coach Brett Brown, who said on Friday his team was preparing to play sans Embiid, denied his team was trying to gain a competitive advantage by keeping the three-time All-Star's availability, or lack thereof, a secret until shortly prior to tipoff.
“Maybe there is [a tactical advantage] but it's certainly not calculated,” he said before the game. “There's not a clandestine motive behind this. It is what it is. We've been doing this long enough that I bet most people believe me. This is just the way that it has played out.”
Embiid, who had 31 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and six blocks on Saturday, was also a literal game-time decision for Games 1 and 2.
Follow Us
Subscribe