Joel Embiid out for Game 1, no timetable for return

Shams Charania: 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.
Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania

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Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
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NBA Playoffs 2022:
76ers star Joel Embiid out indefinitely with fractured orbital bone and mild concussion nj.com/sports/2022/04… – 12:24 AM Kevin Pelton @kpelton
Wrote about how the Sixers might adjust in their series against the Miami Heat with Joel Embiid sidelined by an orbital fracture and a concussion: es.pn/3vwo83r (ESPN+) – 12:12 AM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Embiid out indefinitely, and Heat now clear favorites in their second round series. And the latest on Butler, Lowry. And Heat, 76ers, analysts discuss matchup: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 12:11 AM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
It’s impossible not to feel for Joel Embiid. He said repeatedly how (understandably) proud he was of being able to shed the questions about durability this season. Now, in the span of a week, he’s had two complete fluke injuries derail his playoffs after an MVP-caliber season. – 12:11 AM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: The Philadelphia 76ers have a huge task on their hands, as they will begin the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat without Joel Embiid. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:09 AM Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Feel awful for Embiid – 12:02 AM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
No NBA games tomorrow and no 7th games needed in first round. Sunday’s schedule: Game 1 of Boston-Milwaukee at 1 p.m., Game 1 of Memphis-Golden State at 3:30, both on ABC. And Heat starts against Embiid-less 76ers at 7:30 Monday at FTX Arena on TNT. – 11:53 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The 76ers posted a 6-8 record without Joel Embiid in the regular season. – 11:11 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
“I think he broke my face. I’m serious I think he might have broke my face. But it’s all good, it’s the playoffs.”
-Joel Embiid post game. Torn thumb, broken face, concussion. It’s gonna take a medical staff to limit this guy. pic.twitter.com/IKDsmVoQ6A – 10:38 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
The Phillies got no-hit an hour after the news of Joel Embiid being hurt. Wow. – 10:33 PM Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Roller coaster Friday in philly sports:
Eagles draft C in 2nd rd 😕
Flyers season ends🥳
Embiid orbital fracture 🥺
Eagles draft LB in 3rd rd 😃
Phillies get no-hit 😡 – 10:32 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
The latest on Joel Embiid. apnews.com/article/joel-e… – 10:28 PM John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
The thing I was looking forward to most in MIA-PHI was what happened when Adebayo switched screens, leaving a guard on Embiid.
(Or to see if Adebayo switched fewer screens so he could stay w/ Embiid.) Alas… – 10:20 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Embiid injury objectively sucks. – 10:14 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
Updated #Sixers story: It’s unclear how long Joel Embiid will be sidelined by an orbital fracture and mild concussion, but he’ll miss at least the start of the conference semifinals vs. the #Heat: https://t.co/lYZsheSfTn #76ers pic.twitter.com/wUfly7wpk8 – 10:05 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Quick story:
* What little we know about Joel Embiid’s orbital fracture
* Comparing it to his 2018 injury, and why this might (MIGHT) be a shorter recovery timeline
* The play where it happened.
https://t.co/NXG353jzqe pic.twitter.com/kLkbi0jEYv – 9:55 PM Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Per Source: Embiid has a clean break in his face.
“Siakam fucked him up, it was totally unwarranted and flagrant. Not sure how long he will be out or any additional information at this second.”
The last time Joel suffered an orbital bone fracture, he was out roughly three weeks – 9:47 PM Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“Doc, why was Embiid still in the game up 30pts late in the fourth quarter?” – 9:39 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Believe this is Joel Embiid’s third time with an orbital fracture. One in college, one from a dribble hand off with Markelle Fultz in 2018. Now this one from Siakam. Pretty sure the first couple were left side. Wonder if he still has the same mask Justice Winslow stomped on. – 9:32 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
When Embiid broke his left orbital bone in 2018, it was three weeks and 10 games. This sucks. – 9:29 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
76ers’ Joel Embiid suffers orbital bone fracture, concussion, listed as out nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/29/76e… – 9:28 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
76ers’ Joel Embiid out indefinitely vs. Heat in East semifinal due to orbital fracture, concussion. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Embiid returned from a similar orbital injury during the 2018 playoffs to close out the Heat. – 9:28 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Embiid out for Game 1 against Heat and out indefinitely. And lots of other Heat-76ers things: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:25 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Hate seeing that Embiid is seriously hurt. Yesterday’s tweet was a bad tweet in the heat of the moment, regret it. – 9:22 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
My reaction to the Joel Embiid news: This SUCKS pic.twitter.com/bINfBlAM14 – 9:21 PM Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
Raptors announcers/fans cheering Embiid’s injury is really fucked up. – 9:16 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Still working through all the details, but early indication I have been given is that Embiid’s injury does not require surgery at this time. Whether that means he can make it back/get cleared anytime soon is another story phillyvoice.com/sixers-joel-em… – 9:14 PM Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
I fractured my face once, top-edging a slog sweep into it (last attacking shot I ever played), and I can assure you it hurts like all hell. But at least it was only once. Embiid by contrast could wear a vault door on his face, yet if he gets hit on the fracture again, it’s over. – 9:14 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
Re: Joel Embiid: Orbital fractures have a decent amount of variability due to multiple factors including the bones involved, possible displacement, size of the actual fx, & any soft tissue or eye damage. Surgery may be warranted if the damage is severe & a bone has displaced. 1/3 – 9:13 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
If you are celebrating the Joel Embiid injury, you’re gross. Unfollow and re-think what kind of person you want to be. – 9:08 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
You really gotta feel for Joel Embiid. The guy works his ass off every year to ensure that he keeps his body right and stays healthy and then the most random injury happens to him. It’s just real unfortunate. – 9:07 PM Tas Melas @TasMelas
Is this an option for Embiid? pic.twitter.com/KsTbO0C3zQ – 9:05 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
76ers’ Joel Embiid to miss at least opener vs. Heat with orbital fracture, concussion. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 9:01 PM Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA short: #Sixers star center Joel Embiid to miss start of #Heat series with orbital fracture, concussion: https://t.co/JLEyPqJMZO #76ers pic.twitter.com/aalKnqmFfU – 8:59 PM John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Next presser: Doc why was Embiid still in late in a blowout?
Doc: DID YOU SEE THAT HORSESHIT ORLANDO TEAM I COACHED TO THE PLAYOFFS 20 YRS AGO? – 8:58 PM Dan Favale @danfavale
still don’t see the need to have had *an already-injured* embiid in up 29 with four minutes to play
pic.twitter.com/pNeSmxkHvX – 8:56 PM Brad Botkin @bradbotkincbs
Let the Doc bashing begin for having Embiid in the game up 29 with four to play – 8:54 PM StatMuse @statmuse
The injury to Joel Embiid happened when the Sixers were up 29 points with 4 minutes left in the game… pic.twitter.com/EVbtn52ZnE – 8:54 PM Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The 76ers say Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion last night against Toronto, and is out indefinitely.
Embiid was hit in the face by an inadvertent Pascal Siakam elbow late in Philadelphia’s blowout win over Toronto in Game 6 last night. – 8:50 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Just looking ahead for a second with the Embiid news, I think we know the direction they’re gonna go with the 9 man rotation now
They’re going small
Dedmon may get some time off – 8:49 PM Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers confirm that Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion in last night’s win over the Raptors. He will be listed as out and further updates will be provided as appropriate, the team says. Game 1 at Miami is Monday. – 8:46 PM Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Per the Sixers: Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in last night’s game. He’s out and “further updates will be provided as appropriate.” – 8:46 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in last night’s game vs. Toronto. Embiid is out and further updates will be provided as appropriate, per Sixers official. – 8:45 PM Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in last night’s game vs. Toronto. Embiid is out and further updates will be provided as appropriate, per #Sixers official – 8:45 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in last night’s game vs. Toronto. Embiid is out and further updates will be provided as appropriate. #Sixers – 8:45 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Damn Embiid is taking a beating. – 8:43 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
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. – 8:43 PM Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
How the Wolves drafted Karl-Anthony Towns.
How the Sixers lucked into Joel Embiid.
How Phoenix landed Devin Booker.
How Boston set themselves up for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum…
amazon.com/Built-Lose-Tan… – 3:08 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
What did Precious Achiuwa learn from guarding Joel Embiid over 6 games? “I learned that it’s tough to guard guys like that.” – 3:01 PM Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW from @Anthony Chiang and me: Updates on Butler, Lowry injuries. Some interesting metrics on how Heat’s top defenders have fared against Harden and Embiid. And what Heat, 76ers, analysts are saying about matchup: miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 2:32 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Heat slow playing injury approach with Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, others ahead of 76ers series. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Also: Addressing the Joel Embiid challenge; and Marcus Garrett visits. – 1:43 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW: Defense has been the Heat’s ‘anchor.’ A look at the thing that makes the Heat a title contender as it prepares to face Joel Embiid, James Harden and the 76ers in the second round miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 1:01 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
ICYMI: The latest In Street Clothes Podcast has dropped! @BrianSuttererMD and I discuss a myriad of NBA injuries including, Embiid’s thumb, Middleton’s knee and plenty others. We also look into the hamstring injury of Eloy Jiménez. Check it out.
open.spotify.com/episode/7zqDy0… – 12:56 PM Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Bam Adebayo on finding a way to slow Embiid: “We’re going to have to double him.” – 12:53 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Adebayo on defending Embiid, “You’re going to have to double him. Pretty simple.” – 12:52 PM Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Bam Adebayo on Joel Embiid:
“He’s one of the best bigs in the East.“
On how to stop him:
“You’re gonna have to double him.” – 12:52 PM JD Shaw @JShawNBA
NBA’s best from April 28:
– J. Embiid: 33 pts, 10 reb, 3 blk
– C. Paul: 33 pts, 8 ast, 14-14 fg
– C. Boucher: 25 pts, 10 reb, 32 min
– T. Maxey: 25 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast
– L. Doncic: 24 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast
– J. Harden: 22 pts, 15 ast, +38
– D. Ayton: 22 pts, 7 reb, 10-12 fg – 10:48 AM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Looking back at the regular season matchup between PHI and MIA….
G1: no Butler, Adebayo, or Herro; no Harden
G2: no Adebayo; no Harden
G3: no Lowry; no Harden
G4: no Embiid, no Harden
The one time Harden faced MIA as a Net this season: 14/7/7 – 10:12 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Joel Embiid last night:
33 PTS
10 REB
12-18 FG
Embiid recorded at least 30p/10r with 60% shooting from the field twice in the series.
The only other players in @Philadelphia 76ers history to record two such games in a playoff series are Wilt Chamberlain (2x) and Charles Barkley. pic.twitter.com/dniRWBZMj2 – 9:21 AM Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Joel Embiid, Sixers dominate Raptors in Game 6
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/13… – 4:45 AM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
By the way, another piece of evidence after the Tobias Harris screen to free Embiid that you should set the most illegal screen possible in these situations. Clarkson’s offensive line move screened his own man and Bullock. Great screen. – 12:29 AM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
There will be no bad side of history for the Sixers (at least not this week, lol). Joel Embiid went into a road close-out game and dominated. Harden stepped up. Maxey with the 2nd massive Game 6 of his career. No more of Nick Nurse’s “WHAT?!” pose.
thepaintedlines.com/embiid-exorcis… – 10:50 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Just walked by Joel Embiid as he left arena. He has a bandage over eye. He’s a lot happier than after Game 7 in 2019. Saw Danny Green too and he’s just as happy as he was then. – 10:23 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Siakam said he apologized to Embiid for hitting him in the face. Said he felt awful about. No hard feelings either way, at least according to him — about that or the airplane or anything. – 10:09 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Siakam says part of the extended conversation with Embiid after was apologizing for unintentionally hitting him in the face, says he felt awful about it. – 10:08 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Doc Rivers says that while the @Philadelphia 76ers saw big numbers from Embiid, Harden, and Maxey tonight, one player stood out throughout the series:
“Tobias was just amazing… Tobias (@Tobias Harris) might’ve been the most valuable guy in this series.” – 9:56 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
It’s 76ers, Embiid, Harden vs. Heat in East semifinals, opening Monday at FTX Arena | Series schedule sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 9:50 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Really long, extended hug between Siakam and Embiid. They fought, they weren’t always nice to one another, but still wild two Cameroonians are doing that on a huge stage. Nice to see they can put things aside and appreciate that. – 9:50 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Joel Embiid was double-teamed all series.
He still averaged 26/11 on 52% shooting. pic.twitter.com/mjn9tV5u0w – 9:47 PM Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Joel Embiid played a phenomenal WWE villain in the Sixers’ close out victory in Toronto but nobody – & I mean nobody – trolled the Raptors in a playoff series better than Paul Pierce. Was so good at 🚮talk/rubbing it in, you wish his athletic prime was during the social media era – 9:44 PM Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Embiid & Siakam embrace at center court at the end of Game 6 pic.twitter.com/IHesG75Bod – 9:40 PM Aaron Rose @AaronBenRose
Joel Embiid just asked Drake if he’s going to jump on Miami’s bandwagon – 9:40 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Incredibly cool moment for both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris to finish the series in this building. – 9:37 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Countrymen Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid share a hug after the final buzzer. For all the in-game theatrics, nothing but respect between those two. – 9:37 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Siakam and Embiid share a big embrace and a chat and then another hug before Siakam leaves. – 9:36 PM Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Final: Sixers win 132-97, taking the series 4 games to 2. They’ll play Miami in the second round.
Joel Embiid with his best game since the thumb injury (33/10/3 on 12-18), James Harden was aggressive early and finished with 22/15, and Maxey added in 25. – 9:35 PM Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
It’s 76ers, Embiid, Harden vs. Heat in East semifinals, opening Monday at FTX Arena. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 9:35 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Joel Embiid’s first career postseason series was against the Miami Heat four years ago, when he was masked up. Philly won that series in five games. That was Bam Adebayo’s rookie year.
Embiid is only 76er left from 2018 team. Only other player left with Bam from 2018 Heat is UD. pic.twitter.com/LNgfw2ln4E – 9:34 PM Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Jimmy Butler going back to Philly to remind them he’s taken Miami to the Finals since they chose not to re-sign him will be one of more intriguing subplots of a series that will be filled with them. Kyle Lowry back home. Joel Embiid vs Bam Adebayo. James Harden vs…South Beach. – 9:32 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Joel Embiid heads to the bench.
33 PTS / 10 REB / 12-18 fg
2 STL / 3 BLK
EMVPIID. – 9:29 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Joel Embiid tonight:
33 PTS
10 REB
3 BLK
12-18 FG
Bam Adebayo next. pic.twitter.com/qyR8IXq0cB – 9:27 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Embiid gets the W, but Siakam gets his heat back. – 9:25 PM Tom Liston @Liston
#Raptors My 10 year old has 10x the maturity on the basketball court vs Embiid. If you’re that good, have an ounce of class. #RTZ – 9:25 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Turns out Embiid wins as gracefully as he loses. – 9:24 PM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Siakam elbowed Embiid in the eye on the way to the basket. The Raptors fans cheered on the replay of the play that was being reviewed. … After the review, the foul call on Embiid stands. – 9:24 PM Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
There was a zero point zero percent chance that Joel Embiid did not pull out the plane celebration, the same one Raptors fans did all the time to mock him in 2019. – 9:23 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
The Embiid Airplane is back in the building formerly known as the Hangar. – 9:23 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
And there’s the Embiid airplane. – 9:22 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid brought out the airplane celebration after that dunk and the fans did not like it. They’re booing him and mocking him again. Also, the chant has come back out. #Sixers – 9:21 PM Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid hit the airplane in Toronto lmao – 9:21 PM Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Embiid breaks out the airplane. – 9:21 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
AIRPLANE JOEL EMBIID IS BACK – 9:21 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Embiid vs Bam.
Harden vs Jimmy.
This is gonna be fun. pic.twitter.com/BHTK3QuL2p – 9:18 PM John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Embiid putting his hands to his ears and saying “where you at? I don’t hear shit.”
He should be MVP just for this. – 9:13 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
It’s up to Kyle Lowry now to add even more to his Raptors resume by beating Embiid and the Sixers for the 401st, 402nd, 403rd and 404th times in the last 6 years. – 9:05 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Nightmare Q for the Raptors, who shot 5-19 FG/2-11 3P and were outscored 37-17 in the 3rd. Some tension boiling over towards the end as Embiid gets away with a flagrant on Boucher, exchanges words with OG and then taunts the crowd as they chanted “F*** Embiid.” Sixers by 21 – 8:59 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
The @Philadelphia 76ers lead, 99-78, after Q3.
All five starters in double-figures.
Maxey: 25 PTS / 2 REB / 3 AST
Embiid: 21 PTS / 6 REB / 2 BLK
Harden: 19 PTS / 4 REB / 12 AST
Harris: 12 PTS / 9 REB / 2 AST
Green: 12 PTS / 5 REB
12 minutes to go. – 8:58 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
99-78 Sixers. No clue how they called common foul on Embiid cheap shot on Boucher. No chance it’s common foul if other way around. – 8:57 PM Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Ooooo
Embiid + Bball Paul minutes – 8:55 PM Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid has his hands cupped to his ears as the crowd begins the “fuck Embiid” chant #Sixers – 8:51 PM Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Joel Embiid loves the heel treatment. While fans curse his name, Embiid asks for more noise like Dave Winfield once did in Toronto. – 8:51 PM

More on this storyline

Ramona Shelburne: 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. -via Twitter @ramonashelburne / April 29, 2022 Ramona Shelburne: Embiid will be evaluated again next week, but at a minimum he must be out 5 days with the concussion, sources said. There is no timetable for this injury yet but sources said “the door isn’t closed.” -via Twitter @ramonashelburne / April 29, 2022 Kyle Neubeck: Sixers confirm that Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in last night’s win. He is out, with updates to be provided “as appropriate” -via Twitter @KyleNeubeck / April 29, 2022