Joel Embiid is out for Game 5 with a meniscus tear

The Philadelphia 76ers will not have Joel Embiid available to play in Game 5 on Wednesday.

If the Philadelphia 76ers want to close out the Washington Wizards at home in Game 5 on Wednesday night, they are going to have to do so without their best player, Joel Embiid.

Embiid has been ruled out for Game 5. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Embiid has a small meniscus tear in his right knee and will be day-to-day.” While Philadelphia will almost certainly advance past the Wizards in their best-of-seven series up three games to one, not having Embiid available on Wednesday night might give the Wizards some extra momentum.

How concerned should the 76ers be about Embiid’s knee at this point of the NBA Playoffs?

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 5 due to injury

While Embiid’s status as day-to-day is not the end of the world, should his knee flare up during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it might tip the scales in either the Atlanta Hawks or the New York Knicks’ favor, depending on who advances out of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 series. If Embiid’s knee is not an issue in the second round, it absolutely can become one in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Ultimately, the 76ers are only going to go as far as Embiid will take them. Ben Simmons is a great player too and Philadelphia has a great supporting cast. However, not having the team’s best player healthy vs. teams like the Hawks, the Brooklyn Nets or the Milwaukee Bucks could be problematic. Let’s hope Embiid’s knee issue is only a minor one during this NBA playoff run.

Look for other 76ers to step up in Embiid’s absence on Wednesday night vs. the visiting Wizards.