Despite playing through a sore knee and facing hostile chants from the sell-out crowd at the Garden, Joel Embiid put up a stellar performance for the Philadelphia Sixers in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Embiid, who was listed as questionable with a left knee injury, started the game and led the Sixers with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. However, the Sixers’ late-game execution proved costly, as they squandered a five-point lead with just 28 seconds remaining.
After allowing a 3-pointer by Jalen Brunson and a turnover by Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers failed to secure the rebound on a missed 3-pointer by Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo then connected on another 3-pointer, giving the Knicks the lead.
Despite the disappointing loss, Embiid remained optimistic, stating, “We’re gonna win this series. We’re gonna win this. We know what we’ve got to fix. We did a better job today, so we’re gonna fix it. We’re the better team and we’re gonna keep fighting.”
Embiid’s performance was a testament to his resilience, as he has been managing the knee injury since returning from a 29-game absence. Despite the setbacks, he remains a key figure for the Sixers as they look to bounce back in Game 3.
