Despite sustaining a thumb injury, Philadelphia 76ers superstar centre Joel Embiid is available to play Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series Saturday against the Toronto Raptors.
Embiid is listed in the injury report as having a sprained right thumb with The Athletic's Shams Charania reporting Friday there are fears the four-time All-Star has sustained a torn ligament.
Kyle Neubeck, who covers the 76ers for the Philly Voice, tweeted a photo of Embiid at Friday's practice sporting a brace around his thumb but added he "dismissed the idea that he’d miss" Game 4 as a result of the injury.
Embiid posted MVP-worthy numbers this season averaging 30.6 points and 11.7 rebounds and has been dominant in the opening playoff round against the Raptors with averages of 27.7 points and 13.0 rebounds over three games.
The seven-footer from Cameroon had 33 points Wednesday night alone including the game-winning three-pointer in overtime that gave the Sixers a 3-0 series lead and put the Raptors on the brink of elimination entering Saturday's matchup.
Meanwhile, Toronto Raptors small forward Scottie Barnes is now listed as "questionable" but is also available to play Game 4 due to a left ankle sprain.
Barnes sustained the injury during the third quarter of Game 1 last Saturday when Embiid stepped on his ankle, and the Raptors rookie has missed back-to-back contests.
Although Barnes was wearing a walking boot two days after the injury, he has been without it since then.
Watch Game 4 on Saturday on Sportsnet at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
