By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series opposite the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed. He is sidelined with no timetable for a return.
Embiid, 28, was injured late in the fourth quarter of the blowout win in Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. Dropping 33 points, ten rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and one assist helped the Sixers go through to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. However, the team guided by Doc Rivers will miss the Cameroonian big man to start the second-round best-of-seven series against the Miami Heat.
Already playing through a right thumb ligament tear and scheduled to undergo surgery after the conclusion of the postseason, Embiid was accidentally hit in the face by Pascal Siakam. Leading by a comfortable margin, his side was well on the way to sealing the series-clinching win in Toronto.
Due to the concussion, the best-case scenario is that he will be back after at least five days of rest. Philadelphia will update his status “as appropriate”.
The series versus the Heat starts on Monday. A second straight fixture at FTX Arena will be held on Wednesday before the 76ers host Game 3 and Game 4, Friday and Sunday, respectively. The five-time NBA All-Star can be considered likely to remain out through next week’s action. Backups such as DeAndre Jordan and Paul Millsap will probably enter the rotation to reinforce the frontline, while James Harden picks up additional duties in the offense.
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