The Philadelphia 76ers are in Miami ahead of Game 3 of their deadlocked first round series with the Heat on Thursday, and the biggest question for the Sixers is the status of All-Star center Joel Embiid.
Embiid has been out since March 28 when he suffered a facial fracture and a concussion after a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz. In that time, the Sixers are 9-1 without their star, but unfortunately for Philly, that one loss was in Game 2, leaving them tied 1-1 with the Heat as the series shifts to South Beach.
After that loss, Embiid let his frustration boil over into an Instagram Story post where he said he was “f*cking sick and tired of being babied.” Brett Brown shrugged it off as him just wanting to play, which is what Embiid said in explaining the post further. Embiid wants to be on the floor and the Sixers certainly want that, too, but as has long been the case with their star player, they’re taking every precaution before allowing him back on the court.
So while Game 3 was thought to be the expected return for Embiid, as he has already passed the NBA’s concussion protocol, he is officially listed as doubtful for Thursday night.
Medical Update:
Joel Embiid – (orbital bone fracture, left eye) is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game at Miami.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 18, 2018
Doubtful is better than out, but it’s still not the most encouraging sign that the Sixers will have him back. As they proved in Game 1 and in their run before the playoffs, this team is certainly capable of winning without him, but they also could very much use his presence, especially on defense. It’s possible Embiid is a go on Thursday night in Miami, and he did go through practice on Wednesday, but it seems as though we might have to wait another game (or more) before we see him back in action.
