Skip to content

Report: 76ers optimistic Embiid could return for Game 3 or 4

Cole Burston / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Philadelphia 76ers are optimistic that star Joel Embiid can return from his mild concussion and orbital fracture for Game 3 or 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Embiid must clear concussion protocols in order to play. The Cameroonian won't travel with the team for Games 1 and 2 in Miami and is getting his orbital fracture examined by a doctor midweek, Wojnarowski reports.

The 76ers' MVP candidate suffered the injury when taking an inadvertent elbow from Pascal Siakam during Game 6 of the 76ers' first-round series against the Toronto Raptors. The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter with Philly holding a comfortable 29-point lead. Head coach Doc Rivers recently justified his decision and said he planned on taking the big man out on the next possession.

With Embiid out, Philadelphia will rely more heavily on Paul Reed to fill frontcourt minutes. The 76ers' thin frontline also includes veterans DeAndre Jordan and Paul Millsap, who both played sparingly in the first round.

Game 1 gets underway Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at FTX Arena. The full series schedule can be viewed below.

Game Away Home Date Time (ET)
1 76ers Heat May 2 7:30 p.m.
2 76ers Heat May 4 7:30 p.m.
3 Heat 76ers May 6 7:00 p.m.
4 Heat 76ers May 8 TBD
5 76ers Heat May 10 TBD
6 Heat 76ers May 12 TBD
7 76ers Heat May 15 TBD

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox