The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 on Thursday night to win the first-round playoff series, but their best player suffered injuries in the process that have his second-round status — vs the Miami Heat — in question.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports that 76ers center Joel Embiid “suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion” in Game 6, and adds that Embiid “will be listed as out and there is no timetable for his return.”
Sources: 76ers All-NBA star Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in series-clinching Game 6 win last night in Toronto. He will be listed as out and there is no timetable for his return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
So, that’s very unfortunate news for Embiid, and it’s significant news for the 76ers and really the entire playoff landscape if the NBA MVP candidate is forced to miss much time.
Embiid suffered the injury after being elbowed by Toronto’s Pascal Siakam late in the fourth quarter of Game 6.
The play where Joel Embiid got injured https://t.co/GYWDUxupoU
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 30, 2022
And this news comes just days after reports that Embiid is playing through a thumb injury that will require surgery in the offseason.
Embiid has been playing through pain this postseason after sustaining a torn ligament in his right thumb — and now this orbital fracture, concussion, and will now be sidelined. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/3q9BPF9VAv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
Embiid, 28, led the NBA in averaging 30.6 points per game this season, while also averaging 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks. The seven-footer is a game-changing, series-changing talent who gives the Sixers a chance in a seven-game series vs any team. And Embiid’s absence would put more pressure on James Harden to perform like a superstar for Philadelphia against Miami.
The Sixers’ series against the Heat (the East’s No. 1 seed) begins on Monday.
Here’s a look at how the sports world is reacting to the Embiid injury news:
When Embiid broke his left orbital bone in 2018, it was three weeks and 10 games. This sucks.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 30, 2022
The 76ers posted a 6-8 record without Joel Embiid in the regular season.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) April 30, 2022
The injury to Joel Embiid happened when the Sixers were up 29 points with 4 minutes left in the game… pic.twitter.com/EVbtn52ZnE
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 30, 2022
Joel Embiid played in 68 games this season, the most games he's played in a season in his career.
The 76ers have played 293 minutes this postseason. 80% of those minutes have come with Embiid on the court (234 minutes). pic.twitter.com/NbDKl25qLy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2022
The announcer said “you get what you deserve” about Siakam breaking Embiid’s face because Embiid did the airplane celebration. Very cool. https://t.co/bs9SI3E5cA
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) April 30, 2022
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
— Tyrone Johnson (@TyJohnsonNews) April 30, 2022
