Joel Embiid update: 76ers’ star out for Game 2
By Matt O'Leary
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without their superstar Joel Embiid for Game 2 of their series against the Miami Heat.
The 76ers have been without star center Joel Embiid since the end of March. Embiid last played against the New York Knicks on March 28, when he suffered a fractured orbital bone. As Philly gears up for Game 2 against Miami tomorrow it’s going to have to be without Joel Embiid again.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN, Joel Embiid will not be ready to go for Monday night’s action against the Heat.
Joel Embiid did not play but he was in the building for Game 1 of the series. Embiid rang the Wells Fargo Center’s ceremonial liberty bell before a rambunctious Philly crowd who hasn’t seen their team in the playoffs since 2011-2012.
The three seeded Sixers took care of business winning Game 1 in blowout fashion over the six seeded Miami team. The final score was 130-103, Philly didn’t seem to need their star Embiid anyway winning by 27 points.
Certainly, having a player like Embiid in the lineup will help your chances in a game but there’s no reason to rush him back before he’s ready. Especially, when you consider the way the team won without him in the lineup.
In the 63 regular-season games, Joel participated in he averaged 22.9 points per game and 11 rebounds a night. Embiid was the leading scorer for the 76ers with veteran J.J. Redick following behind at 17.1 points per game.
It’s rare that you see upsets in the NBA playoffs, it isn’t as unpredictably comparatively to the NFL or NHL playoffs, heck we’ve had the same finals for three years in a row. Even without their star, Philly should be able to take care of business and defeat Miami.
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There’s no need to rush him back. Trust the process, and when he’s 100 percent healthy then it’s okay to bring him back.