New York Knicks forward Julius Randle is expected to be out for Game 1 of the second round against the Miami Heat. Randle is still recovering from a sprained ankle.

Randle was initially injured at the end of the regular season. He reaggravated the injury during the Knicks first-round victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Both Randle and Quentin Grimes were called game-time decisions by New York coach Tom Thibodeau. Without Randle and Grimes, New York will have to begin the series against Miami down two starters.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid's knee injury is believed to be more serious than originally thought. Embiid is considered to have a right knee LCL sprain that is greater than a Grade 1 sprain. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said on Saturday that Embiid is doubtful to play in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics on Monday.

A Grade 1 LCL sprain has a possible recovery time of a few days to two weeks. A Grade 2 LCL sprain can take two to four weeks. A Grade 3 LCL sprain is in the range of four to six weeks. LCL sprains can be subject to reinjury of greater severity than the original injury.

It's unknown if Embiid is dealing with a Grade 2 or Grade 3 LCL sprain. By Monday, he'll have sat for 11 days, after missing the Sixers Game 4 victory in their first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.

The New York Knicks are entering their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Miami Heat a little banged up. New York could be down two starters for Game 1 against Miami on Sunday.

Julius Randle is still dealing with a sprained left ankle. Randle was hurt towards the end of the regular season and reaggravated the injury during the Knicks first-round victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Quentin Grimes missed both Games 4 and 5 against the Cavs due to a right shoulder contusion. Grimes was injured during New York's Game 3 win over Cleveland.

The Philadelphia 76ers know they have a tough task ahead of them against the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. But that task will be even tougher if Joel Embiid can't play due a sprained right knee.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers gave an update on Embiid's inactivity at Saturday's practice before casting doubt on the potential MVP's availability for Game 1 on Monday.

"There is no latest," Rivers said. "Obviously, the doctors looked at him, and he didn't do anything today.

"I'll say this, but if I was a betting man, I would probably say doubtful for at least Game 1. But we'll see."

Embiid missed Game 4 of the 76ers sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. That would give him 11 days off before facing the Celtics in Game 1. However, recovery times from a sprained LCL can vary greatly, and the Sixers haven't said what grade of sprain Embiid is dealing with.

Tom Thibodeau said he was hopeful that Julius Randle would be able to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Randle remains questionable due to a sprained ankle.

"He's better today than he was [Thursday], and that was the big thing. So we're hopeful," said Thibodeau on Friday.

Randle initially injured the ankle on March 29, before re-injuring the ankle in Game 5 of the first round.

In other injury news, Quentin Grimes is expected to be available for Game 1 after missing this past week with a shoulder contusion. 

The Philadelphia 76ers remain unsure of whether Joel Embiid will be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals as he recovers from a sprained knee.

"I'm just going to wait. They'll call me later and we'll see where he's at," said Doc Rivers on Thursday.

Rivers did admit that the Celtics-Hawks series going six games improved Embiid's chances of playing in Game 1.

"If we played on Saturday, I don't know how realistic it would have been, so that's a good thing," added Rivers.

Embiid is averaging 36.8 points and 11.8 rebounds against the Celtics this season. 

Jericho Sims underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and cuff tendon in his right shoulder.

Sims will need five months of recovery and rehabilitation. 

For the season, Sims averaged 3.4 points -- on 78% shooting -- and 4.7 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game.

Julius Randle's sprained ankle will be re-examined on Thursday, Tom Thibodeau confirmed following the New York Knicks' series-clinching win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Randle missed two weeks at the end of the season after spraining the same ankle, though Ian Begley of SNY reported that the latest sprain is not as severe as the previous.

"It would be premature for me to comment. We're hopeful that it's not bad," said Thibodeau.

Game 1 of the Knicks-Heat series is scheduled for Sunday.

CJ McCollum underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right thumb. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York.

Additionally, after further consultation with Dr. David Altchek at HSS, it has been determined that McCollum will not require surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. McCollum will undergo an offseason rehabilitation program focused on shoulder stabilization and strengthening.

McCollum is expected to make a full recovery for both injuries prior to the start of training camp. 

McCollum publicly played through the injury for a considerable part of the season.

Kawhi Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Leonard played in the first two games of the Los Angeles Clippers' first round series against the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 35 points per game. Leonard missed Games 3, 4 and 5 with the injury in which he was listed as day-to-day.

Leonard is signed with the Clippers through the 24-25 season and he can become a free agent in 2024 if he declines his player option.

Leonard suffered a partially torn ACL during the 2021 playoffs, which led him to miss the entire 21-22 season.