When the Philadelphia 76ers stepped onto the court for Game 1 against the New York Knicks, they hoped their MVP center would lead them to a series-opening victory. Instead, they left the floor with a blowout loss—and now, even bigger concerns for Game 2.

Just hours before Wednesday night's tip-off, ESPN's Shams Charania dropped the news that Sixers fans were dreading: Joel Embiid has been ruled out. The reason? Not one, but two injuries are sidelining the big man. As Charania reports, "Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 2 tonight against the New York Knicks due to ankle and hip injuries."

This is a major setback for a team already trailing 1-0 in the series. Embiid was initially listed as probable for the game, but his status took a turn for the worse. The 76ers now face the real possibility of falling into a daunting 2-0 hole against a hungry Knicks squad.

Embiid has been battling through a series of health issues since returning from an appendectomy earlier this postseason. Late in the first-round series against the Boston Celtics, he sustained a leg injury that has only compounded his troubles. Between his abdomen, hip, and ankle ailments, the wear and tear of playoff basketball is taking its toll.

In the games he has played this postseason, Embiid has been a force—averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists while logging 34.2 minutes per contest. His absence leaves a massive void in the paint, both offensively and defensively.

Now, the 76ers will need to lean on Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to step up in a big way. They've done it before—during Game 2 against the Celtics, the supporting cast rose to the occasion without Embiid. They'll need that same energy in New York to keep this series from slipping away.