Philadelphia’s injury report continues to lengthen. One day after the 76ers announced All-Star guard Ben Simmons would need knee surgery, Joel Embiid was forced to leave Sunday’s game against Portland with a left ankle injury. He would not return.
Embiid, who has averaged 30.0 points and 13.5 rebounds since the 2019-20 season resumed, is trying to lead Philadelphia to favorable playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Entering Sunday’s game, the 76ers sat in sixth place, a half-game behind Indiana and Miami. Should they finish in sixth place, the Sixers would face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia had won three straight entering Sunday’s contest.
