PHILADELPHIA — 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid is currently listed as out for Game 3 of Philadelphia’s Eastern Conference semifinal against the MiamI Heat, but there is progress that could be made to change his availability in time to play Friday, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
As 76ers coach Doc Rivers said Thursday afternoon, Embiid has yet to be cleared from the NBA’s concussion protocol. He can only be listed as out until he does.
“No, not yet,” Rivers said when asked if there was a change in Embiid’s status. “Still has hurdles to get over. I’m not a doctor. I don’t even know all, I mean, besides the concussion protocols, he has to get through all that and all the other stuff with the injury.”
Embiid hasn’t played since being hit in the face with an elbow by Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam in Game 6 of the first-round series last week.
Philadelphia has certainly missed Embiid, who was named a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for a second straight year, through the first two games in Miami. The Heat, even without point guard Kyle Lowry, who has missed four straight games with a hamstring injury, were able to cruise to comfortable, double-digit victories in the first two games.
Lowry is listed as questionable for Game 3, along with several Heat players — Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, P.J. Tucker and Caleb Martin — who all played in Game 2.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and several Heat players said they are anticipating Embiid’s return in the wake of Miami’s 119-103 victory in Game 2.
“It changes dramatically,” Spoelstra said Wednesday night when asked what Embiid’s return would mean for the series. “You’re talking about MVP talent, you know? So we’ll just have to see.
“We knew that this series was going to shift, and it was going to change pretty dramatically [if he returns]. It’s better for it to change dramatically when we’re able to get a couple wins [first] but yeah, he changes the…
Source : espn
