Fansided

Joel Embiid has a broken eye socket and could miss 76ers playoff games

By Peter Bukowski

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Joel Embiid was mostly healthy this season. But a fluke collision, along with a concussion and broke eye socket, could keep him out of the playoffs.

The NBA gods have a twisted sense of humor when it comes to #TheProcess. One cornerstone’s accidental elbow could keep another from reaping the benefits of years of tanking.

A Markelle Fultz elbow ended in a concussion and broken orbital bone for Embiid, who had been averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds this season. With him on the floor, the 76ers were one of the best defensive teams in basketball, and a bottom-tier group without him.

After 2.5 years of injuries for Joel Embiid, the former Kansas star ascended this season for the 76ers as one of the preeminent young players in the league.

Embiid and Ben Simmons meshed immediately and while 2017 No. 1 pick Fultz struggled with this own injury issues, Philadelphia soared into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. After months of “will he, won’t he?” with Fultz, the rookie returned to the floor only to promptly injure the centerpiece of the Process.

Surgery will keep Embiid out 2-4 weeks depending how surgery goes, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. With the playoffs set to start April 14, Embiid would have to hit the start of his recovery window to avoid missing time in the postseason. If he takes the full four weeks, the 76ers cornerstone could miss the entire first-round series.

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Philly currently sits in the fourth spot in the East after clinching its first postseason trip in six seasons. An extremely soft schedule to close the season could have helped the Sixers pass the Cavaliers for third (the Cavs are just half a game up), but that would mean facing a dangerous Wizards team.

The best case may be staying in the fourth spot and trying to beat the Pacers in the first round well Embiid gets healthy.