The Philadelphia 76ers are now on the brink of elimination after losing in embarrassing fashion to the New York Knicks in Game 3. Things quickly got out of hand for the hosts in the fourth quarter, and all of a sudden, they are facing an ultra steep climb as they will have to beat their adversaries four straight times without losing any outing just to stay alive.
After missing Game 2 due to hip and ankle injuries, Joel Embiid made his return just in time for Game 3. Facing a 0-2 deficit in the semis, there was simply no shot at a comeback without the 76ers having their best and most dominant player out there. Unfortunately, him not being 100 percent was on full display in their most recent outing, and the worst part about it is that it is bound to keep happening at this rate.
The 76ers are on the brink of elimination as Joel Embiid struggles big time
To compensate for his declined physical state in this series, the former MVP has found life much more difficult. Now, he is unable to get to his usual spots on offense, and he was forced to try and bait the Knicks into fouling him. On the defensive end, he has become a major liability especially when defending and chasing space, and New York has made a deliberate effort to force him into being involved in as many actions as possible as a stopper.
Joel Embiid finished the night with just 18 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes although he did rack up five assists and three blocks of his own. However, his efficiency clearly took a hit, as he converted on only seven of his 17 field goal attempts. It was abundantly clear that he was playing despite being pretty banged up, and that was one of the main reasons why his team is now on its way to getting swept out of the second round.
New York recognized their clear edge with an injured Embiid-led Philly squad opposite of them and made the appropriate advantages to double down on their advantages. The Knicks constantly put Embiid in a blender and it worked admirably well. The superstar big man simply did not look right, and getting blown by on D on numerous occasions affected his play across the board.
Embiid can be a rhythm player, so it is not surprising that the Knicks were successful in stymieing him in his current state. As such, it should not shock any basketball mind that the 76ers are on the verge of another playoff exit.