Getty Sixers center Joel Embiid winces in pain after injuring his left ankle against the Miami Heat on December 15.
Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. No, this isn’t a belated April Fool’s Joke. The Philadelphia 76ers center is out indefinitely after suffering a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion in Game 6 versus Toronto.
The team vowed to provide updates “as necessary” as they get set to take on the Miami Heat on May 2. Embiid’s injury occurred 3:58 left in the fourth quarter when Pascal Siakam clipped him with an elbow to the face. It came with the Sixers leading by 29 points.
Here is the list of people responsible for Embiid’ injury
1. Siakam
Blaming Embiid for a guy breaking his orbital bone for celebrating when a crowd literally chanted F-Embiid for THREE games is insane
While Siakam’s hit didn’t appear to be malicious or intentional, the play did draw an embarrassing reaction from Raptors fans. They cheered wildly and the Toronto announcers were quick to point out that Embiid’s “airplane celebration” following a nasty dunk at the other end was “bush league.”
Friendly reminder: Toronto’s fans cheered & their commentators applauded Siakam when he elbowed Embiid in the eye, causing an orbital fracture & concussion. Yes, the same fan group that cheered when KD tore his Achilles.
Worst fan base in the NBA. FOH.
Wait, there is some good news to add. Philly Voice’s Kyle Neubeck reported that “Embiid’s injury does not require surgery at this time.” The MVP candidate was already dealing with a torn ligament in his right thumb and postponed surgery on that until the offseason. He has now suffered at least one major injury in five straight postseasons.
Joel Embiid has had a ROUGH postseason career 😕
2018: Fractured left orbital bone
2019: Lingering left knee injury
2020: Ben Simmons knee surgery
2021: Torn meniscus in right knee
2022: Torn ligament in right thumb
Fractured right orbital bone
“It’s whatever. I’m Catholic, I believe in God, I always put it in his hands,” Embiid said after Game 4 of the Raptors series. “That’s why when I go out there I don’t focus on what can happen or what’s going to happen. I just go out there hoping for the best and trust in him [God].”
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Predicting Possible Timeline for Embiid’s Return
The Sixers won’t put a timeline on Embiid’s recovery, but it is telling they aren’t ready to rule him out for the rest of the playoffs. That would seem to indicate he could return at some point. Best case scenario? Embiid would be back in time for the NBA Finals.
Joel Embiid was evaluated by specialists tonight to determine the severity of the right orbital fracture. While his previous left orbital fracture in 2018 required surgery, sources told ESPN there has not been an indication that this injury will require a similar procedure.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, orbital fractures can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to heal and that all depends on the severity: orbital rim fracture, blowout fractures, direct orbital floor fracture. The Sixers haven’t stated which kind of fracture it is.
There is a precedent with Embiid who fractured his orbital bone back in 2018 and missed 22 days. He elected for surgery on his eye socket that time and wore a protective mask when he returned.
Oddly enough this isn’t Joel Embiid’s first time suffering this injury. Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and concussion to the opposite eye during the 2017-18 season. He underwent surgery & missed 22 days (8 regular season games & 2 playoff games). 3/3
According to Jason Dumas, Embiid suffered a “clean break” in his face when Siakam’s elbow came crashing down. He thought a flagrant should have been called on the play. Dumas wrote, via sources: “Siakam f***** him up, it was totally unwarranted and flagrant. Not sure how long he will be out or any additional information at this second.”
Siakam Apologized for Elbow to the Face
Siakam apologized to Embiid after accidentally hitting him in the face in Game 6. The immediate call on the court was a defensive foul on Embiid, then Doc Rivers asked for a review and Siakam got charged with an offensive foul. The Raptors star said it wasn’t his intention to injure him when speaking to reporters in his post-game press conference.
“I feel awful I hit his face. I was trying to make a move,” Siakam said, via Sportsnet. “Obviously, I apologized to him after that. It was definitely not my intention.”
Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam show love after Game 6 🤝
Siakam also downplayed any hostility over Embiid’s airplane celebration. The two natives of Cameroon don’t have a previous history of beef or hatred toward one another, although Siakam did call out Embiid for “fake toughness” earlier in the playoffs.
“If that’s how he decides to celebrate, who am I to tell him not to? It is what it is,” Siakam said. “We lost. That’s it.”
Siakam on Embiid’s theatrics: “I have no problem with it. If we win, it’s a different story. He win and I think that’s on him to celebrate however he wanted.”
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Joel Embiid Suffers Major Injury: When Will Sixers Star Return?