Late in the first half against the Knicks in Game 1 on Saturday night, the 76ers’ Joel Embiid threw the ball off the backboard and dunked it, an acrobatic play.

But one that may be costly.

Embiid went down and stayed there for a few seconds.

He was later helped to the sideline and later the locker room, not putting much pressure on the left leg.

Embiid, of course, missed 29 games with a left knee injury and was listed as questionable for Game 1.

He looked good early, scoring nine points in the first three minutes.

But then came his first dunk and the fall.

He had 18 points before going back to the locker room.