Joel Embiid recently expressed he’s “sick and tired” of the Philadelphia 76ers being so cautious about his health. But in this particular case, the decision to clear the All-Star center is out of the team’s hands.
Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice reports the 76ers are waiting on clearance from the surgical team that performed the operation to repair Embiid’s orbital fracture.
That’s both an important distinction and one that’s not particularly surprising.
Common sense says Philly wants Embiid on the floor. He’s a hugely productive player on both ends, averaging 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks. There’s little reason for the Sixers to willingly sideline him during the playoffs.
But if they don’t control his availability, Brett Brown and the coaching staff can only prepare to play without Embiid.
If the 24-year-old doesn’t suit up for Game 3, the focus will quickly shift to whether the surgical team — not the Sixers — clears Embiid for Game 4 on Saturday.