NBA Player News

Embiid is available and in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game 2 versus the Celtics, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, Embiid will replace Paul Reed in the starting lineup after missing the previous contest with a right knee sprain. The MVP center was seen with a knee brace in pregame warmups but was moving without any issues. There is no indication that Embiid will be on a minutes restriction.

Embiid (knee) will play in Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Celtics, barring any unexpected setbacks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Embiid has been upgraded from doubtful to available Wednesday after missing Game 1 with a right knee sprain. The MVP center should replace Paul Reed in the starting lineup but could play limited minutes depending on his fitness level once the contest begins. Embiid averaged 46.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in 39.5 minutes across his previous two matchups with Boston this season.

Looney provided 10 points (5-11 FG), 23 rebounds and five assists over 29 minutes during Tuesday's 117-112 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Looney was a menace on the glass again and now has four games with 20-plus rebounds across the team's first eight postseason matchups. His 23 boards Tuesday were a career high and tied Anthony Davis for the most in Game 1. While his rebounding prowess gets all the attention, Looney has quietly been an outstanding passer this postseason and is averaging 4.4 assists, which is nearly double his regular-season average.

Davis provided 30 points (11-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocks across 44 minutes during Tuesday's 117-112 victory over Golden State in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Davis scored 14 first-quarter points to set the tone and dominated on both ends of the court all night long. He ended with game highs in points, rebounds and blocks while finishing second on the team in assists behind D'Angelo Russell. Davis posted 20.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals during the six-game series against Memphis, and he appears ready to take advantage of another favorable matchup in Round 2, as Kevon Looney figures to remain Davis' primary defender while Draymond Green is tasked with slowing down LeBron James.

Embiid (knee) said he's on track to return to the lineup Wednesday for the 76ers' matchup with the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Though the latest official NBA injury report lists Embiid as doubtful for Game 2, the newly-minted 2023 NBA MVP looks like he'll be able to play through his lingering right knee sprain, provided he doesn't experience any setbacks in morning shootaround or pregame warmups leading up to the 8 p.m. ET opening tip. The 76ers were able to steal a win on the road sans Embiid in Game 1 on Sunday, with Paul Reed drawing a second straight start and turning in a double-double (10 points, 13 boards) over 37 minutes. Assuming Embiid is cleared to play Wednesday, he'll likely do so without a hard playing-time restriction.

Adebayo contributed 15 points (5-10 FG, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and one block in 38 minutes during Tuesday's 111-105 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Adebayo saw an all-around performance while posting team-high-tying rebound and assist totals and finishing as one of four Heat players with 15 or more points Tuesday. Adebayo has notched at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in three of his seven playoff appearances.

Davis (foot) is available for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Warriors.

Davis and LeBron James are both set to play Tuesday despite dealing with nagging foot injuries. Davis averaged 25.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 blocks in 32.0 minutes across his previous two matchups with Golden State this season.

Bamba (ankle) has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Warriors on Tuesday, Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation reports.

Bamba has been used sparingly by the Lakers, so this may not impact their game plans for Tuesday night. Bamba is day-to-day, and his next chance to play will be Game 2 on Thursday.

Embiid (knee) was named the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Embiid won the MVP award after finishing as the runner-up in the previous two years. The superstar center averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 34.6 minutes across 66 games this season, leading the 76ers to a 54-28 record. Embiid is currently dealing with a knee injury that could hold him out of Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Celtics.

Head coach Doc Rivers said Embiid (knee) is still considered doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 in Boston, but the MVP candidate could be upgraded if he responds well to Tuesday's workout, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Embiid missed the series-clinching Game 4 win over Brooklyn and remained sidelined for Monday's Game 1 victory in Boston due to a knee sprain, but he's doing everything in his power to get back on the court to help his team. He did some light shooting ahead of Monday's game and will go through a skeleton workout Tuesday, and how he responds to those events will be the determining factor in his availability moving forward. An official update on his availability for Game 2 likely won't come until hours before Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET tip-off.