Joel Embiid re-injures knee, leaves game following spectacular self alley-oop

Philadelphia 78ers star Joel Embiid suffered an apparent knee injury Saturday and left his team’s playoff game against the Knicks.

Embiid injured his knee after an emphatic dunk. After landing, he took a step then stopped and fell to the floor.

Joel Embiid suffers a leg injury after making an unbelievable play in Game 1 of the Sixers-Knicks series. pic.twitter.com/CuDvzXoY9t

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 20, 2024

That’s quick: Joel Embiid returned to action after halftime

Embiid made a relatively quick recovery. After heading to the locker room in the second quarter for more evaluation, he returned to action in the third.

But NBA fans have a right to be concerned. After all, Embiid tore the meniscus in his left knee on Jan. 30 during a loss to the Golden State Warriors. He had a procedure to repair the cartilage a week later. Embiid missed the next two months of action.

He’s still not back to full strength. His status before Saturday’s game was questionable. However, he was cleared to play during pre-game workouts.

Embiid, the former Kansas Jayhawks, was the NBA MVP last season. He’s also a seven-time All-Star.

Even with Embiid back on the court, the 76ers couldn’t pull off the road upset of the second-seeded Knicks. The 76ers center eventually led his team to the lead, but the Knicks won the playoff opener 111-104.

Embiid scored 29 points, with eight rebounds and six assists. He converted 8 of his 22 attempts. Towards the end of the game, he collided with Jalen Brunson. That incident prompted the Knicks crowd at Madison Square Garden to begin chanting obscenities Embiid’s way.