Joel Embiid’s status for Game 1 against the Miami Heat has been in doubt for some time but, on Friday morning, the most definitive information to date came to light. In speaking with the Dan Patrick Show, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown said the following when prompted about Embiid’s prospects of appearing in the opener.
“He will not play in Game 1,” Brown said. “From that point going forward, we’ll figure some stuff out but unless something remarkable happens, Dan, I don’t plan on him playing in Game 1.”
This comes as no surprise, as it was always considered unlikely that the standout center could return quickly enough following orbital surgery to take the floor at the outset of the series. Still, the notion that his absence was in any sort of doubt is undeniably encouraging for Philadelphia, especially given the fact that the Sixers are now seen as significant favorites to advance to the second round.
Embiid will don a mask whenever he appears for the first time in the Playoffs and, in true-to-form fashion, he has already branded a new nickname for himself to go along with his new attire. It is obviously more important that he is actually able to play, though, as the Sixers cannot reach their ultimate upside (despite a wild winning streak without him) unless Embiid is healthy and effective in the near future.
