Masked Joel Embiid Looks Good Shooting But Admits It’s ‘Unlikely’ He Can Return For Game 1

Joel Embiid was back on the court on Wednesday night, putting shots up in a black mask just a few days after successful surgery to repair a broken bone below his eye. It was an encouraging sight for Sixers fans as the team got ready for its final game of the regular season.

But with the postseason looming this weekend and Embiid’s status uncertain, there’s still a lot to be answered for with the Process’s health. Embiid appeared on the floor on Wednesday before the Sixers took on the Milwaukee Bucks. Embiid appeared wearing the black mask he previewed with a “LOL” on Instagram a day earlier.

While he got shots up in the mask during warmups, Embiid looked like his usual self as far as his shooting stroke is concerned and didn’t appear uncomfortable with his new headgear.
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After warmups, he spoke to the media and gave an update about his health, saying he’s “getting better every day” but is “unlikely” to play in Game 1 when the postseason starts this weekend.

“I just have to take it day by day,” Embiid said. “Obviously I want to play but right now I feel like Im not ready yet. I feel like it’s getting better.”

Asked about how the mask feels, Embiid said the black mask fits well and he can see out of it better than the clear mask that many players choose to wear after suffering facial injuries. The Sixers big said he hopes the league approves it so he can play as soon as possible.

“Obviously the NBA has something about black masks,” Embiid said. “With the clear mask it kind of feels like there’s so much reflection and I can’t really see. With the black mask it kind of gives you like a clear vision of everything. So hopefully it gets approved and I get to play in it.”

Whether he can play at all, or what mask he will be allowed to wear, will come down to time. Right now, Sixers fans and Embiid himself have to play the waiting game some more.