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Embiid Out, Sixers Face Celtics Without Star
19 Apr
Summary
- Joel Embiid will miss Game 1 against the Boston Celtics due to appendectomy recovery.
- Sixers' potential starting lineup for Game 1 remains uncertain with limited shared play.
- The Celtics feature a dominant lineup with strong rebounding and defense.
Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff series against the Boston Celtics. His absence stems from recent appendectomy surgery, marking him as the only Sixer unavailable for the initial contest. This situation leaves coach Nick Nurse with significant lineup decisions, as potential starting groups have minimal shared playing time this season.
With limited established combinations, the Sixers are exploring options that include Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and potentially rookies like Adem Bona. One successful lineup identified against the Celtics this season featured Maxey, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Oubre, and Andre Drummond, though they played limited minutes together.
The Boston Celtics, conversely, enter the series without any reported injuries. Their preferred lineup, featuring Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, and Sam Hauser, has performed exceptionally well. This unit boasts a strong offense and a superior defense, highlighted by impressive rebounding rates on both ends of the floor, which could pose a significant challenge for the shorthanded Sixers.
