AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reportedly won’t travel with the team for either Game 1 or 2 of the second-round series against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
There is still reportedly “optimism” he could return for Game 3 or 4 if he clears concussion protocol.
The Sixers announced Friday that
Embiid would be sidelined indefinitely because of a right orbital
fracture and mild concussion suffered in their series-clinching win
over the Toronto Raptors. He was injured after taking an elbow to the
face from the Raptors’ Pascal Siakam.
Embiid, who averaged 26.2 points, 11.3
rebounds and 2.3 assists in the first-round series, was already
playing through a torn thumb ligament on his right hand.
The injury issues arose after the MVP
candidate played a career-high 68 games during a regular season that saw Philly post a 51-31 record.
DeAndre Jordan figures to slot in as
the replacement in traditional lineups, but the Sixers will likely
utilize a lot of small ball without their franchise cornerstone
available. Georges Niang, Matisse Thybulle and Paul Reed could all
see more minutes.
A lot more pressure will also fall on
the shoulders of James Harden to carry the 76ers offense until Embiid
is cleared to return. The longer his absence, the tougher it will
become for Philadelphia to keep its championship hopes alive.
The Eastern Conference semifinal will begin Monday in Miami, with Game 3 scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.
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