5:38: Embiid intends to return to action tonight, sources tell Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Head coach Doc Rivers said Embiid might not play his normal amount of minutes due to conditioning, but he’ll be back for Game 3, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms (via Twitter).
10:54am: Sixers center Joel Embiid has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and is hoping to play in tonight’s Game 3 against the Heat, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Embiid participated in today’s shootaround, and although he is officially listed as out, his status could change before game time.
The team is currently optimistic that Embiid will be able to play, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Embiid is still dealing with a fractured orbital bone as well as a torn ligament in his right thumb. The team has prepared a mask that he will wear to protect his face if he’s able to resume playing.
Tonight’s game will tip off at 7:00 pm Eastern Time, so the Sixers have a few more hours to make a final determination on Embiid’s availability. If he’s not able to play, he’ll likely target a return in Game 4, which will take place Sunday night in Philadelphia.
After earning a spot as an MVP finalist during the regular season, Embiid continued to dominate in the first round against the Raptors, averaging 26.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per night in the six-game series. The Sixers will need him back on the court to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Miami.
Doesn’t he have a fractured face? Well I guess Here Comes The Mask again. I think this guy has all the colors, depending on the occasion. I think the black one looks cool and he wears that one almost all the time.
Definitely a stud to come back and play through the injury.
when lebron worn a black one he got fined for it.. how can embiid?
This post isn’t about Lebron.
Pioneers often don’t get the credit they deserve.
Series hasn’t started until a home team loses. But… I’m not confident that Embiid will be able to be the MVP Emiid. Hopeful but I’m realistic.
If he comes back and they win the series this would be a hundred times more impressive than Michael Jordan’s flu.
Indeed, that would be the case, notwithstanding that Jordan never had the flu, it was all fake like everything else in his career, but that is for another day, right?
he was hungover AF.. which is worse lol
fractured orbital bone, concussion, torn thumb ligament — Embiid is a warrior and a true Philly guy. He will be beloved in Philadephia for all time.
Embiid or no Embiid, they’re gonna lose.
This comment aged poorly
Right, because if he were playing for any other franchise he wouldn’t possibly do this. It’s only in playing for the Sixers that makes it all possible.
This has nothing to do with Philly. It has to do with Embiid’s competitiveness and will to win.
It’s not a Sixers thing, it’s a fanbase thing. The Philly sports fanbase is terribly demanding, and Embiid’s warrior mentality resonates more than it probably would most other places.
they did boo Santa Claus
They did boo Santa in 1968…you got something a little more relevant
It was reportedly a young, drunk guy who happened to be wearing a santa suit.
Good point. I agree with that.
You agree with young, drunk guys in Sant a suits? :D lol
Rank these guys in order of who you’d rather have on your team at 23yrs old, David Robinson, Chet Holmgren, Artis Gilmore or Joel Embiid…
At 23 years old and completely healthy? My choice would be Joel embiid and buy a long long long shot.
David Robinson wasn’t even in the league at 23.
Did he ask if he was in the league at 23? Or did he ask who youd rather have on your team at 23? Jesus christ read the damn question!
is this a troll? At 23 Robinson was in the Navy, Embiid only played 62 games, Holmgren is in college… and Artis Gilmore was putting up 22-17 as an all-star…. again.. troll?
MVPBIID IS BACK!!!
Embiid is a loser
Be better. Dude broke his face. Stop being a douche bag.
Not on this night
Your mom late with the chicken tendies making you irritable?
Maybe medicine has come further than I thought. I just remember Mark Lemke, an infielder, having his career come to an abrupt end due to a concussion.