By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joel Embiid was ineffective after halftime as the Atlanta Hawks stormed back from an 18-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers and tie the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals’ best-of-seven series at 2-2. The Cameroonian big missed all his 12 attempts and his side was outscored by a margin of 16 points when he was on the court.
Embiid, 27, was listed as questionable for Monday’s Game 4 due to injury. He has been playing on a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. He certainly did not look healthy after the break. His 0/12 shots in the second half were the most missed attempts in a playoff contest in the last 25 years, per ESPN.
He still had the chance to save the Sixers but failed to connect the go-ahead layup with 8.8 seconds remaining after a feed from Tobias Harris. “Great look. I just didn’t have the lift,” he admitted following Game 4.
Embiid finished the match with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists to his name. The 76ers could not hold on through his struggles in the second half to find themselves at 2-2 instead of 3-1 ahead of Game 5.
“That was a blown opportunity. But it happened,” he added, “Can’t change it. Got to move on to Game 5.”
“We missed so many opportunities,” added head coach Doc Rivers.
The next meeting with the Hawks is scheduled to take place on Wednesday back at home.
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