Joel Embiid Listed As Doubtful vs. Wizards

The long-awaited injury update has finally arrived. After leaving game four early due to right knee soreness. New updates on the status of Joel Embiid have finally surfaced.

Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Embiid is doubtful for Wednesday's game give against the Washington Wizards. He has received an MRI and is expected to be further evaluated in the coming days.

While it may not be the best update, it certainly is not the worst. Being listed as doubtful is much more encouraging than having to miss any significant time. With that being said, the Sixers will probably be taking the floor Wednesday without the services of the MVP finalist.

Being without Embiid certainly is a significant loss, but the Sixers are still in a good position to close this series out. Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris will be called on the lead the charge as the Sixers look to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

If the team needed any added motivation to end this series now, here it is. Having close to a week off will give the All-Star center added time to recover, along with not having to overexert him in this opening series.

This now leaves Doc Rivers with the decision of what to do with the starting lineup. After seeing how successful the small-ball lineup was at the end of game four, the idea of starting Ben Simmons at center does not sound that far-fetched.

Scott Brooks will likely be going back to his small lineup on Wednesday now that Davis Bertans is out for the remainder of the series.

Now that we have an update on Embiid, everyone can let out a sigh of relief. Despite taking that nasty spill in game four, it does not look like we have seen the last of Embiid in this postseason.

The focus is on the Sixers now to head back home and take care of business. They need to handle Washington in game five and allow Embiid the proper time to recuperate for the step in their hunt for a title.