Joel Embiid’s early return to the court injected fresh hope into the Philadelphia 76ers’ pursuit of an NBA Championship.

Despite being sidelined for a significant period, his remarkable performance in the play-in tournament against the Miami Heat underscored his pivotal role in the team’s postseason ambitions.

Scoring double-doubles and clinching a crucial victory, Embiid demonstrated his prowess, setting the stage for a showdown against the second-seeded Eastern team, the New York Knicks.

However, NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins remains hesitant to favor the Sixers in the upcoming series due to concerns about Embiid’s health.

Knicks center calls out Joel Embiid’s game plans

Speaking on ‘NBA Today,’ Perkins cited Embiid’s ongoing recovery, expressing reservations about his ability to perform at peak condition. He emphasized Embiid’s limited explosiveness since his return from injury, casting doubt on his effectiveness against the Knicks.

Despite Embiid’s undeniable dominance on the court, his absence from the MVP race due to injury reflects the challenges he faced. While he downplayed his exclusion from the race, acknowledging its toll on his mental well-being, Embiid remains determined to secure his first championship trophy.

However, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein appears to have deciphered Embiid’s potential strategy. In a press conference, Hartenstein highlighted Embiid’s tendency to draw fouls, emphasizing the importance of preventing him from capitalizing on free throws.

Embiid’s impressive success rate on free throws this season underscores the significance of Hartenstein’s observation, suggesting a tactical approach to neutralize Embiid’s scoring opportunities.

As the playoff rivalry intensifies, both teams must build their performance to overcome strategic challenges and advance in the postseason.