The Philadelphia 76ers are facing an uphill battle in their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, and the news just got worse. Star center Joel Embiid has been officially ruled out for Game 2 on Wednesday night due to hip and ankle injuries, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Embiid had been receiving around-the-clock treatment in a desperate bid to suit up, but he was unable to participate in the morning shoot-around. His absence is a massive blow for a team already reeling from a 39-point blowout in Game 1.

The Knicks' defense had Embiid's number in that opener, holding him to just 14 points on an uncharacteristic 3-of-11 shooting from the field. All but six of those points came from the free-throw line, and he managed only four rebounds—a far cry from his MVP-caliber standards. New York also exploited him in pick-and-roll situations, racking up a staggering 46 points in the paint.

For 76ers fans, this is a tough pill to swallow. Without their franchise cornerstone, Philadelphia will need other stars like Tyrese Maxey to step up and keep their season alive. Meanwhile, the Knicks look poised to take a commanding 2-0 series lead at home.