The Sixers confirmed that Joel Embiid, who hurt his ankle in Philadelphia's losing game against the Portland Trail Blazers, will not be around for the showdown with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The big man though is not expected to remain in the sidelines for a long time, reports said.
Embiid suffered an injury on his left ankle early in the match versus the Trail Blazers and many feared the incident could keep the All-Star from the floor for an extended period. However, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski provided an update and suggested that Embiid's injury is not as serious as earlier thought.
The 26-year-old could be back in action soon enough, and this was supported by Sixers head coach Brett Brown.
Noah Levick of NBC Sports reported that Brown sounded optimistic in providing the latest on the Cameroon native's injury. The coach is expecting the star to resume playing in time for the Sixers' playoff games.
"Brett Brown said he expected Embiid to play again before the playoffs, though characterized that view as just one man's opinion," Levick reported.
For the Sixers fans, Brown sounding off high hopes that Embiid can return to play and carry Philadelphia through the playoffs is welcome news. It serves as a respite to the shocking development of Ben Simmons already ruled out for the season with a busted knee.
It will be a tall order though on the Sixers as he will be missing a piece of the team that can provide the needed firepower. Although Simmons out of the equation could turn out a blessing in disguise for Embiid - he will have the space to maneuver and flourish in the playoffs campaign.
Basing on Embiid's performance so far, the Sixers can depend on the big man, according to Clutch Points, pointing to his 23.5 points per game and shooting accuracy of 47.8%. Minus Simmons, the Sixers star will need to push his game at a higher level and surpass the job he has accomplished in the past games.
Embiid must strive to be the best center in the NBA with Simmons forced out of the game. That is the only way that Philadelphia can play deeper in the Orlando competition. It has to be one game and one round at a time for the Sixers with Embiid leading the way.
It wouldn't hurt though for the other Sixers to rise to the occasion and tipped to step in is Tobias Harris. Embiid and Harris will attempt to do better for the Sixers and pushed the team beyond the second round, which the best that Philadelphia can afford in the last two seasons.
The task ahead will be hard but not impossible. Recall that heading to the bubble game, Embiid said that part of the reasons he opted in is the conviction that the Sixers deserve to play for the NBA title.
