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Sixers team plane breaks down after Monday’s loss to the Wizards

The team was forced to bus back from the Washington area and didn’t arrive in Philadelphia until 6 a.m.

Sixers guard Ben Simmons (right), center Dwight Howard (left), and their teammates didn't get home until 6 a.m. due to their plane breaking down Monday night.
Sixers guard Ben Simmons (right), center Dwight Howard (left), and their teammates didn't get home until 6 a.m. due to their plane breaking down Monday night.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

It was definitely a bad night for the 76ers.

The Sixers’ team plane broke down following Monday night’s 122-114 loss to the Washington Wizards in Game 4 at the Capital One Arena, a source confirmed. As a result, the team was forced to bus back from the Washington area and did not arrive in Philadelphia until 6 a.m. Tuesday. NBC Sports Philadelphia was first to report the news.

The transportation troubles came after Joel Embiid exited the game late in the first quarter with right knee soreness. A source said the team was being cautious by not reinserting him into the game. The MVP candidate was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday morning.

» READ MORE: Wizards beat Sixers, 122-114, avoid sweep as Joel Embiid leaves with injury on night fan runs on court

Embiid’s knee buckled while he took a hard fall on his backside when Robin Lopez blocked his driving layup with 4 minutes, 43 seconds left in the first quarter. After getting up gingerly, Embiid sat on the bench during a timeout and returned to the game.

He stretched out his back before resuming play. Embiid also felt soreness in his right knee. He was subbed out of the game with 36.5 seconds remaining in the quarter. Embiid then went to the locker room. Moments later, the team’s trainer and doctor went to the locker room to attend to Embiid.

» READ MORE: Ben Simmons’ free throws, and Joel Embiid’s knee injury | Sixers vs. Wizards best/worst

Embiid spent the second quarter in the locker room being evaluated. The team announced at halftime that he would not return.

Because of their travel problems, the Sixers canceled Tuesday’s media availability. The team will host the Wizards in Game 5 of the opening-round series in front of a capacity crowd on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers have a commanding 3-1 series advantage in the best-of-seven format.