Joel Embiid MRI confirms ligament tear in thumb; Philadelphia 76ers center's surgery will wait until after season
The NBA Playoffs continue on Sunday evening live on Sky Sports as the Chicago Bulls host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 live on Sky Sports Action at 7pm, followed by Golden State Warriors looking to close out a sweep of the Denver Nuggets at 8.30pm on Sky Sports Action
Sunday 24 April 2022 19:48, UK
Joel Embiid has a ligament tear in his right thumb, Philadelphia 76ers' coach Doc Rivers has confirmed.
Embiid played in Game 4 against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday with a strap on his finger despite experiencing "severe pain and discomfort", and a subsequent MRI has confirmed that he has suffered ligament damage.
ESPN reports that the required surgery will wait until the end of the season and that nothing changes in terms of his availability or treatment during this year's NBA Playoffs
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"I don't know exactly know what happened," Embiid said after Wednesday's 104-101 victory, where he hit an epic game-winning 3-pointer in the final second of the game. "But I just started feeling pain and think I might have twisted it. So we're gonna see what's going on [Thursday]."
"He's good," head coach Doc Rivers said after practice. "We did a lot of stuff ... we just don't want anybody to hit his arms and hands and all that. But he's fine."
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The Sixers could afford to rest Embiid if needed, leading 3-1 in the series against Toronto.
The rush of live NBA Playoffs games continues on Sky Sports this week - see the list of games here and subscribe to watch the live action.
