Joel Embiid does not have structural damage in his sprained left shoulder, Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown said Thursday, but the center will still be out for at least a week, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Embiid sat out Thursday night’s 115-106 win over the New York Knicks. The Sixers will now embark on a California road trip, starting with games in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Sunday and Lakers on Tuesday, before heading north to Sacramento on Thursday.
The Sixers, who improved their home record to 28-2 with a win over the New York Knicks Thursday night, are just 9-21 on the road.
Brown was clearly relieved with the news that there was no structural damage for Embiid.
“The fact that there is no structural damage we all hear loudly,” Brown said. “Maybe it’s a simple as that in some ways. Of course, it’s as much from the personal standpoint as it is a selfish coach, he’s looking forward to this run home, this final third, this responsibility, no Ben for how long we’ll all figure out in time. To learn that from him and his perspective, from the team perspective that is exciting news. “
Embiid was injured Wednesday night in a loss at Cleveland when he collided with Ante Zizic. X-rays following the game didn’t show a fracture. The 76ers said earlier Thursday that they would have another update Friday.
Embiid sat for the 17th time this season because of injury or suspension. The Sixers were also missing guard Ben Simmons against the Knicks because of a back injury.
“It’s a painfully obvious bind,” Brown said before Thursday’s game. “We’re missing two All-Stars. You yank that from the team and it’s painful.”
Simmons missed his third game. Injured in a practice, he has a nerve impingement in his lower back and will miss at least two weeks.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
