Joel Embiid will wait until Game 2 to burn the East playoffs to the ground
Philadelphia 76ers’ fans hoping to see Joel Embiid in action for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs will be forced to wait.
All-Star Center and social media star, Joel Embiid, is the straw that stirs the drink in Philadelphia, and after competing in a career-high 63 regular season games, he has landed his Sixers squad in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Embiid, a franchise player working through his first real NBA season wasn’t able to escape the injury bug and went down on March 28 with an orbital fracture after colliding with teammate Markelle Fultz.
Fast forward two weeks later and a 15-game winning streak in the books for the Sixers, Embiid got a chance to speak to the media donning a protective mask, reminiscent of Zorro, and updated his status for the playoffs.
Per the AP, Embiid ruled out the possibility of a return for Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
"‘I want to play but right now I feel like I’m not ready yet. It’s getting there. I’ve got to keep working every day. With the way it’s been progressing, I’m hopeful I’ll be back soon.”"
So, there you have it, another game without the centerpiece. One thing that is for sure, Sixer fans are quite used to the idea that Embiid may break at any time. In two seasons, Embiid has logged just 94 games, and even with the restriction in minutes set forth by the training staff this season, the talented big-man found a way to find the sidelines.
Embiid is averaging 22.9 points per game, 9.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per outing. To think he will play a huge factor in Philadelphia’s postseason success is an understatement. With Ben Simmons still short of anything that resembles a serviceable jump shot, this team will need all of their young hands on deck.
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Philadelphia, as it stands right now will face either the Heat or the Bucks depending on the outcomes in tonight’s final matchups and while either team falls short of the talent present on the Sixers roster, they still need their ace to power the load.
As the playoffs get revved up on Saturday, most of Sixer nation and fans of the NBA will be keeping a close eye on Embiid and his welfare moving forward. Stay tuned to FanSided’s NBA division for more news, analysis, and updates as the playoffs start, April 14.