Joel Embiid suffers ANOTHER knee injury scare in the first half of the 76ers’ playoff game against the Knicks with Philadelphia star landing awkwardly after huge dunk

Joel Embiid suffered a knee injury scare after landing awkwardly following a spectacular dunk against the New York Knicks on Saturday night.

Embiid went back to the locker room with just under three minutes left in the second quarter of the Philadelphia 76ers’ first round playoff game at Madison Square Garden.

Embiid had the ball in the lane, threw it off the backboard to pass it to himself, rose up and slammed it down with 2:49 remaining in the second quarter. But he immediately grabbed at his left knee after landing and fell to the court. 

After the Knicks scored on the other end, the 76ers took time and eventually were able to help Embiid back up. He walked to the locker room area and missed the rest of the first half, but returned to start the second. 

Fortunately he returned to the court at the start of the second half and appeared to be free of pain.

Embiid threw it off the backboard, rose up and slammed it down before grabbing his left knee

He returned to the court at the start of the second half and appeared to be free of pain

Embiid tore the meniscus in his left knee on January 30 against Golden State and had surgery on February 6.

He returned earlier this month to help Philadelphia reach the playoffs, but has still struggled with the knee. 

Embiid was listed as questionable going into the game and not cleared to play until going through his workout.

Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart each scored 22 points and Deuce McBride led a huge effort by New York’s backups with 21 as the Knicks beat the 76ers 111-104 in Game 1.

Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart each scored 22 points as the Knicks beat the 76ers 111-104

McBride outscored the 76ers by himself with 13 points in the second quarter, when Embiid had to leave.

He returned and rallied the 76ers into the lead in the second half, but Josh Hart hit a couple big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks pull it out.

Hart also had 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who had lost Game 1 the last three times they opened a series at home. They host Game 2 on Monday.

Embiid finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 33 points.