The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the 76ers perennial All-Star Joel Embiid has cleared concussion protocols and is doing ‘everything possible’ to play in Game 3 tonight. He participated in the team’s shoot-around this morning.
Charania further reported that The Process will be fitted with a mask but will need to feel comfortable playing in the mask before receiving the green light to play. However, Embiid’s return still remains unclear as Marc Stein reports that he has been upgraded to “doubtful” for Fridays matchup.
Embiid suffered a torn ligament in his thumb in Game 3 of the Toronto series, then sustained a concussion and orbital fracture in his right eye in the game-clinching Game 6. These injuries have kept Embiid out of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat.
Although Embiid is reportedly ‘doing everything possible to be available to play’ Friday in Game 3, the 76ers have officially listed him as out on every injury report submitted to the NBA every hour. Teams are required to submit an official injury report to the League on the hour from 12:30 PM all the way through gametime.
Without their star big man, the 76ers have fallen behind 2-0 in the series versus the Heat. With a 7 PM EST tip-off tonight, there’s a tight window available to have Embiid play.
