What does Joel Embiid‘s injury mean to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ chances of reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since drafting Embiid in 2014 as the centerpiece of their rebuilding process?
On Friday, the Sixers announced that Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and a concussion during the late stages of Thursday’s Game 6 win to close out the Toronto Raptors. Philadelphia did not offer a timetable for Embiid’s return.
With Game 1 of the 76ers’ conference semifinals matchup against the top-seeded Miami Heat set for Monday in Miami, Philly must prepare to play without Embiid, a finalist for the NBA’s MVP award this season. Embiid was a strong candidate in part because he played a career-high 68 games this season, missing just four since a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols in November.
Let’s take a look at how the Sixers might adjust their offense, with James Harden set to play without Embiid for the first time since being traded to Philadelphia as well as how quickly Embiid might return. Can he resume a breakthrough campaign and go deeper in the playoffs than ever before?
