Why Joel Embiid is Sixers' main topic of conversation despite not playing in clinching win

PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers closed out their first-round playoff series with a 129-112 Game 5 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at the festive, filled-to-capacity Wells Fargo Center, earning them a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

For the joint to continue jumping in the postseason, it comes down to when the Sixers’ franchise cornerstone will be able to play again.

Star center Joel Embiid’s was out after the team announced earlier in the day that orthopedic surgeons reviewed Tuesday’s MRI on his right knee and found a small lateral meniscus tear.

No surgery is planned and the injury will be addressed with physical therapy and treatment, according to the team. Embiid is listed as day to day.

What that means for the Sixers going forward is unclear.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t know if Embiid would be able to play in the second round against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.

A major loss:Joel Embiid out for Sixers' Game 5 against Wizards with small meniscus tear

Too much to overcome:Sixers' Joel Embiid leaving Game 4 with sore knee a reminder of how much he's missed

Starting advantage:Sixers' starters again prove too much for the Wizards in playoffs

“I have no expectation, other than I hope for him to be back,” Rivers said. “But I can’t give you a timeline – I can’t give you anything right now – so I can just tell you he’s willing to go through whatever it takes if that gets him on the floor. He’s a warrior. And if there’s a way for him to get back on the floor, he will find his way.”

Asked if he thinks Embiid will return at some point in the playoffs, Rivers replied, “I do. I don’t know when. I’m hopeful – I think that’d be a better way of putting it.”

The Sixers clearly need Embiid, a finalist for the NBA MVP award, if they plan to fully utilize the home-court advantage they earned by accumulating the East’s best regular-season record and top seed.

Late in Wednesday's victory, the fans chanted “We want Brooklyn.” Without Embiid, it’s hard to imagine them winning a best-of-seven series in the conference finals over the Nets or Milwaukee Bucks – and getting past the second round, which begins Sunday (1 p.m.) in South Philly vs. the Hawks, is no guarantee.

Beating the Wizards in a game to advance is one thing – potentially having to defeat a better Atlanta squad four times in seven tries without Embiid could be another.

Perhaps Tobias Harris expressed it best when he said, “We know the talent we have as a group. (At the same time) we know what Joel means to the team, offensively and defensively.”

Sans Embiid, the Sixers are going to have to play faster in the half-court offense and the other players need to be more aggressive, as was the case Wednesday. Embiid's not there as a safety valve capable of taking his man 1-on-1 or drawing a double-team at any time, so movement and teamwork becomes more important.

“Joel’s been huge for us all year, so it’s only right for us to give him as much time as he needs to get back and help us win it all,” guard Seth Curry said.

As for the idea of having to alter the franchise’s stated championship aspirations, Rivers said, “The things that are far away, you can’t focus on – you have to focus on (Game 5).”

Embiid, who did some shooting drills before the game and seemed to be moving pretty well, suffered the injury on a hard fall in the first quarter of Monday’s Game 4 loss in Washington and sat out the final three periods with what was deemed a sore right knee.

Despite Embiid’s elite offensive abilities, the Sixers missed him the most at the defensive end in the first half Wednesday. The Wizards typically encountered minimal resistance when they reached the lane, which was a primary reason they led for nearly the entire opening two quarters, before Dwight Howard helped the 'D' clamp down.

Howard is the lone other legitimate healthy big man on the roster and he’s not the shot blocker he was earlier in his career. Ben Simmons started at center in Game 5, with the undersized Mike Scott also getting some playing time at the ‘5’ spot.

Rivers and the Sixers had success with a Curry (30 points) and Harris (28 points) 2-man game that looks like it’ll be worth pursuing further.

“We knew we had enough in that locker room,” Curry said. “We knew the formula we had to play to get it done. ... We know we've got enough without Joel to win a few games.”

One concern with Embiid being sidelined is his penchant for losing his game shape quickly, which he has explained by saying he doesn’t like to do any other cardio activities other than playing basketball. That could result in a minutes restriction when he returns to the lineup, which would not be ideal.

“I honestly don’t know (the chances he’ll be the player you need him to be and be ready for 35 minutes right away),” Rivers said. “I don’t think we’re going to put him out on the floor if we don’t feel that, let’s put it that way – or at least feel like he’ll give us a pretty good effort.”

The Sixers have always said that Embiid's longterm health will be the driving force in their decision-making and that is unlikely to change, even with the team having such a terrific opportunity for a long playoff run. It shouldn't, either, regardless how tempting that might be.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly