Sixers' Joel Embiid returns in loss vs. Knicks after injury scare

NEW YORK — Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Game 1 loss in their first-round series against the New York Knicks to start the second half after he seemed to injure his left knee once again.

Embiid missed 30 games this season after tearing the meniscus in his left knee, for which he underwent surgery in February.

The injury scare occurred Saturday at the end of one of the most dominant plays in the league this season. Caught up without a dribble in the paint while being guarded by 7-foot Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, Embiid threw himself an alley-oop off the backboard, caught it and threw it down one-handed. But he appeared hurt when he landed, and immediately went down to the ground.

Embiid was on the ground for several minutes as 76ers personnel looked at his knee. He eventually got up with some help and then walked into the tunnel and into the back of the arena.

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Embiid left the game with 2:37 remaining in the second quarter and the Sixers down 51-46. He had 18 points and five rebounds in 16 minutes before returning in the third. He finished the game with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals in the 111-104 loss.

Embiid has had recurring issues with that left knee since he came back in early April. He seemed to re-injure it on April 12 in the 76ers’ penultimate regular-season game and then sat out the season finale for what the team termed precautionary reasons. He has been playing with a large brace on his left knee.

The Knicks host the Sixers for Game 2 on Monday.

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(Photo: Wendell Cruz / USA Today)