Sixers’ Embiid won’t play in Game 2
CAMDEN, N.J. » Center Joel Embiid cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol, the 76ers announced Sunday.
Embiid still isn’t all the way back from the orbital fracture to his left eye. The Sixers ruled him out of Game 2 of their playoff series against the Miami Heat, Monday at Wells Fargo Center.
Additionally, guard Tim-othe Luwawu-Cabarrot will sit out the game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
Embiid sustained the eye injury in a March 28 collision with rookie Markelle Fultz. The timetable for return was 2-to-4 weeks. It will be three weeks Wednesday. Embiid had surgery March 31st.
The Sixers own a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series with the Heat. Game 3 is Thursday in Miami.
Coach Brett Brown shrugged when asked if Embiid’s return, or lack thereof is linked to the success the Sixers have had without them. The squad has won nine straight games without Embiid.
“It’s still about what’s best for Joel’s health,” Brown said after practice Sunday. “And to have him come back and save the day because we lost Game 1, that’s not going to happen. And the fact that we won Game 1 also doesn’t influence it. It’s all the same thing. It’s just what is best for Joel’s health. And it’s been determined that he shall not play Game 2 for that reason.”.
Guard J.J. Redick practiced Sunday and pronounced himself fit after his scary moment in Game 1. Redick lost vision in his left eye after a fall, necessitating a trip to the locker room for a checkup. He returned to action and scored a game-high 28 points in the 130-103 rout of the Heat.
“It’s still about what’s best for Joel’s health.”
— Sixers coach Brett Brown