The Miami Heat were able to even their series with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, as they walked into the Wells Fargo Center and picked up a 113-103 victory behind a huge night from Dwyane Wade. It was one of those games where the absence of Joel Embiid, who was not cleared to take the floor after orbital surgery quite yet, was huge.
Who knows if having Embiid playing would have swung the result, but in a result where the Sixers looked like they needed a spark, having arguably the best center in the league on the floor would have been a huge boost. Sixers coach Brett Brown even went as far is to say the team could have used him.
Brown says one thing is clear coming out of this game and looking at the second quarter specifically: “You need Joel Embiid… I felt tonight it was a really strong example of how you wished you had him.”
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) April 17, 2018
Embiid, as he is wont to do, took to social media in response to the outcome of the game. But instead of the lighthearted posts we’ve come to expect out of him, Embiid was furious on his Instagram Story. A warning that he vents his frustration with some NSFW language.
And, uh, Joel apparently feels the same way. pic.twitter.com/QimkcCPyd4
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) April 17, 2018
It’s understandable that Embiid, whose health has always been handled delicately by the Sixers during his time in the league, would be upset about this, and the combination of that and the loss on Monday really got to him. Brown was asked about Embiid’s exact quote during his press conference and said he does respect where his big man is coming from.
“He just wants to play basketball, he wants to be with his team… I respect his frustration.”
Brett Brown on @JoelEmbiid’s “sick and tired” social media post. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mvOFsmFrKM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 17, 2018
We’ll know soon if Embiid will be able to return for Game 3, but one thing is for sure: If he’s not cleared, he won’t be happy.