WATCH: Joel Embiid hit in face while wearing protective mask
Joel Embiid opted to play through a face injury against the Miami Heat, hoping to bring the Philadelphia 76ers back from an 2-0 deficit in the second-round series. After winning his first two games back at home, he took a shot to the injured area after a play involving Dewayne Dedmon near the baseline.
While video review shows that Dedmon did not hit Embiid himself, the ball was pushed back into the face and made contact near his injured eye. Doc Rivers was assessed a technical foul for his complaints, seeking a foul against the Heat.
Joel Embiid suffered an orbital fracture near his right eye and a concussion when Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam drilled him with an elbow to the face on April 28. The Sixers won that game 132-97. It was Game 6 of the series and the victory clinched the first round series for Philadelphia.
In addition to the orbital fracture, the superstar center is dealing with a torn ligament in his right hand. He has been playing through the pain and continues to make an impact as his team looks to make an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
More about Joel Embiid injury
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers provided an update on Joel Embiid earlier in the series, saying that despite pain the star player would continue fighting to remain on the court.
“Doc Rivers says ‘there’s concern’ about Joel Embiid’s thumb,” tweeted Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “But ‘it is what it is.’ He adds, however, ‘The one thing we know is it can’t get worse.’ Rivers said it’s likely Embiid gets an MRI when he gets back to Philadelphia but he said the team has a good idea what it is.”
Despite the unfortunate injury, Emiid is not letting it derail his playoffs. The 76ers star practiced ahead of each game. According to ESPN, the star center was seen wearing a wrap on his right thumb during the aforementioned practices, but he is still determined to play through the pain.
Even if the injury was bothering Embiid, you would not be able to tell — the 76ers star gave a convincing answer when asked if he could miss Game 4.
“No. No chance,” Embiid responded, when asked if his status was in jeopardy.
Moreover, Rivers told the media on Friday that Embiid is “fine” and simply didn’t want anyone to hit his thumb.
“He’s good,” Rivers said after practice, per ESPN. “We did a lot of stuff … we just don’t want anybody to hit his arms and hands and all that. But he’s fine.”