Kendrick Perkins is ready to pick the 76ers for a first-round matchup against the Knicks in the NBA Playoffs, especially as he is uncertain about the health of former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Joel Embiid. do not have.
Perkins appeared on NBA Today on Thursday and said he’s concerned that Embiid hasn’t fully returned to form after suffering a knee injury earlier in the season.
Embiid previously admitted he was sidelined by a knee issue and sat out the 76ers’ final game of the regular season for precautionary reasons.
However, in Philadelphia’s win over the Heat, he recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds.
But Perkins cited Wednesday night’s win in the play-in tournament as another reason for concern about Embiid’s health.
When Perkins and Austin Rivers debated whether to take Embiid or Knicks star Jalen Brunson on NBA Today, Perkins chose the latter.
“When it comes to his knee and his health, don’t act like what we’re saying here isn’t real,” Perkins told Rivers. “And he’s not going to magically turn 100 in a few days. That’s why I’m not choosing Joel Embiid.”
When healthy, Embiid was one of the most productive players in the regular season, averaging 34.4 points per game.
But aside from Wednesday’s strong fourth-quarter performance, the play through the first three quarters raised concerns for Perkins.
“If Joel Embiid was 100 percent, I would take Joel Embiid,” Perkins said. “If Joel Embiid was 90 percent, yes, I would take Joel Embiid. If Joel Embiid was 80 percent, yes, I would take Joel Embiid. Far from it. He’s had zero dunks since coming back from injury. I mean, his lift isn’t there.”
The Knicks and Sixers begin their series Saturday at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m.
Whether Perkins’ analysis is correct will be determined by the floor.
