Joel Embiid was not sidelined for long.
The Sixers’ All-Star center was officially ruled in for Game 1 of his team’s second-round series against the Hawks about 30 minutes before tip-off.
He went through his normal pregame workout and did not appear hampered by the lateral meniscus tear in his right knee.
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Embiid had also done his pregame routine before Game 5 of the Sixers’ first-round series against the Wizards and moved without any discernible issues.
The Sixers on Wednesday called Embiid's meniscus tear a “small one” and classified him as "day to day." He suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Sixers’ Game 4 loss to the Wizards.
According to head coach Doc Rivers, Embiid participated in parts of the Sixers’ practices Friday and Saturday but saw no live action.
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Hawks small forward De’Andre Hunter was ruled out with right knee soreness. He’d started every game of Atlanta’s first-round series victory over the Knicks and is a key piece for the Hawks defensively.
Solomon Hill, who played seven minutes in Atlanta’s Game 5 win over New York, replaced Hunter in the Hawks’ starting lineup.
Every Sixer was available for Game 1. In addition to Hunter, the Hawks were without Kris Dunn (non-COVID illness), Brandon Goodwin (respiratory condition) and Cam Reddish (right Achilles soreness).