Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is experiencing significant pain and discomfort in his right thumb and could get an MRI in the near future to determine whether there is ligament damage, sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Despite the discomfort, Embiid practiced on Friday and expects to play in Game 4 of the Sixers’ first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Embiid was seen wearing a wrap on his right thumb at practice but is determined to play through the injury, sources said.
“He’s good,” 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.”
Embiid arrived for his news conference nearly two hours after Wednesday’s Game 3 ended following a lengthy treatment session and was wearing a brace on his right hand with what appeared to be tape on his right thumb underneath it.
“I don’t know exactly know what happened,” Embiid said after Wednesday’s 104-101 victory. “But I just started feeling pain and think I might have twisted it. So we’re gonna see what’s going on [Thursday].”
When asked if the injury could possibly impact his availability for Game 4, Embiid said, “No. No chance.”
The Sixers head into Game 4 against Toronto with a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.