Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein held his own against Embiid in their only regular season game this season, holding him to 9 of 21 shots and forcing five turnovers.
But in Game 1, it was backup center Mitchell Robinson who played until the matchup against the seven-time All-Star.
Robinson held Embiid to 2-of-11 shooting from the field, according to the NBA’s matchup tracker.
New York’s longest tenured player finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal in 30 minutes played.
His 7 offensive rebounds are more than the entire 76ers starting lineup combined.
Embiid was hurt in the first half, completing an incredible self-assisted play.
Game 1 is just the sixth game he’s played since he underwent knee surgery that sidelined him for 29 consecutive games.
But according to Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse , there are no signs that he will be ruled out for the postseason or the series.
“I don’t think so,” Nurse told reporters on April 20. “He really IS a warrior and he is fighting. I think he absolutely wants to play.”
If the New York Knicks’ supporting cast can continue to beat the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup, it won’t matter if Joel Embiid plays, healthy or not.