Joel Embiid can finally focus on recovery after the Knicks ended the Sixers’ title hopes for the season. In a must-win game against the New York franchise, Embiid and Co. just fell short after Thursday night’s game ended 115-118 in favor of the Knicks.
After the season-ending blow, Joel Embiid talked about what it meant for him to be out there fighting for his side. The reigning NBA MVP said, “I can’t feel sorry for myself. As long as I can play, jump even a little bit and I can be on the floor, I feel like my presence is enough.”
Embiid suffered a meniscus injury this season which kept him on the sidelines for months before he made a remarkable return just ahead of the playoffs. Acknowledging the fact that he could’ve taken more time to heal from the surgery, Embiid cleared up his mindset of putting the team first before his well-being.
Joel Embiid is also treating his Bell’s Palsy issue but, carried on nonetheless. Despite his 39 points on the night, the Sixers got an early vacation thanks to Jalen Brunson‘s 41-point performance to take the Knicks in round 2. The Philly side’s playoff woes continued for which the Cameroonian center shouldered the blame.
Joel Embiid Takes Responsibility for Sixers’ Playoff Exit
After the series loss in game 2, Joel Embiid guaranteed that his team would turn the tables and reach round 2, but that did not materialize. As the leader of his team, the 30-year-old took full responsibility for the failure.
“A lot of different circumstances. … Got to be better as basketball players. I’ve got to be better, starting with myself. The whole series I could’ve played better. Maybe if I was better, we would’ve won it, so that’s on me. That’s why we lost. So just got to find a way to get better as a basketball player, as a person, as a leader and come back and hope that everything else aligns,” said Embiid.
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In the series, Embiid averaged 33 points per game with a very healthy number of 10.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists. His series-high 50 points in game 3 was an indication of what the center is truly capable of. For now, Embiid’s priorities will shift to complete recovery and joining the USA men’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the summer.
Also Read: Charles Barkley Sends Dire Message to Knicks Fans Before Game 6 Against Sixers
