Joel Embiid had no choice but to watch the Philadelphia 76ers from the sideline during their playoff opener against the Miami Heat, but the All-Star center believes he’ll return to the court soon.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Embiid said there’s a “pretty good chance” he’ll return in either Game 2 or 3 of the series.
Joel Embiid said he thinks there's a "pretty good chance" he'll be able to play in Game 2 or 3. "If it was my decision I would play, but I can’t get back out on the court if I don’t have the OK from them," Embiid said. "But everything has been going well."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 15, 2018
Embiid missed Philly’s last eight regular-season contests due to an orbital fracture and a concussion. The 76ers ruled him out of Game 1 well before tipoff.
Once he’s back on the floor, though, Embiid will have the opportunity to help Philly complete the next step of The Process. Not since 2012 has the franchise won a playoff series, and the Sixers haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 17 years.
But with Embiid available, Philly has a real chance to end both droughts.