NBA Injury News: Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid Will Play in Game 2

The Philadelphia 76ers have cleared Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid to play in Game 2 of the 76ers vs Knicks series Monday. Earlier this afternoon, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse told the media that both Maxey and Embiid would be a game-time decision.

Maxey missed Monday's early shootaround with an illness, according to multiple reports. However, Maxey did take part in pregame workouts with 76ers assistant coaches at Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 2.

The all-star guard led all scorers in Game 1 with 33 points — the fifth 30-point game in his playoff career — and has been crucial for the 76ers when Embiid was out of the lineup this season.

Embiid was listed as questionable immediately after Game 1. The 2023 MVP appeared to aggravate a knee injury in the second quarter of the series opener after he caught the ball off the backboard and dunked it then landed awkwardly on his left leg. Embiid returned to the game, but labored through the rest of the game despite finishing with a +14 plus/minus and 29 points in the loss.

Embiid had been working his way back into shape after a meniscus injury sidelined him from Feb. 1 to April 2, and this latest injury adds more concern for the oft-injured Sixers superstar.

Despite the concerns, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said he does not plan on shutting Embiid down in this series to preserve him for next season as long as he's relatively healthy enough to play.