Joel Embiid could miss 76ers-Celtics game after gruesome finger injury

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This Wednesday is Marcus Smart Day here at NBC Sports Boston. Be sure to check out our exclusive content around Smart throughout the day, both online and on the broadcast of Spurs-Celtics.

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The Boston Celtics' showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday may not include Joel Embiid after his finger did something it should never do.

Embiid dislocated his left ring finger Monday night in the Sixers' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a video replay showed his finger bent in a very unnatural direction. (If you're not queasy, click here to watch the play.)

Incredibly, Embiid returned to the game after trainers snapped his finger back into place. But the Sixers big man isn't sure if he'll be allowed to play Thursday when the Celtics come to town.

"I want to play. It's a big game," Embiid said Monday night, via NBC Sports Philadelphia's Paul Hudrick. "Last time we played them, we had great success, but at the end of the day, whatever they want me to do.

"Obviously, I'll try to fight it, but they care about me, so whatever they want to do. ... We'll see."

Embiid dropped a season-high 38 points on the Celtics back on Dec. 12 to lead the Sixers to a 115-109 win. He's averaged 24.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game against Boston over 10 career games and seems to relish beating his Eastern Conference rival.

The Sixers have been cautious with Embiid's health, though, and considering the big man admitted he was "basically playing with one hand" following his injury Monday night, they probably won't let him play Thursday unless he's fully healthy.

The Celtics currently own a three-game lead on the Sixers in the East, entering Tuesday as the No. 2 seed at 25-9.

Don't miss Marcus Smart Day and NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Spurs, which tips off Wednesday at 6 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike and Scal have the call at 7 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.

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