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Earlier than Sixers followers may even breathe a sigh of aid over the potential of going to a Sport 7 regardless of a 3-0 lead, they’re gasping for air upon listening to the information that Joel Embiid is out indefinitely with a proper orbital fracture and a gentle concussion. The harm, courtesy of an elbow from Pascal Siakam late in Philly’s series-clinching thrashing of Toronto on Thursday, couldn’t have come at a worse time for the MVP candidate who is also enjoying by means of a torn ligament in his thumb.
It’s now on teammate James Harden to maintain the 76ers afloat towards No. 1 seed Miami within the second spherical till the large man can return. This isn’t Embiid’s first orbital fracture both. He fractured the left one within the 2017-18 season, and it required surgical procedure, forcing him to overlook three weeks. He missed the primary two video games of these playoffs, which additionally got here towards the Warmth.
Embiid wore a masks then, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he tried to play by means of it if it’s even remotely a risk. The man already opted to postpone a surgical procedure, so throwing on a masks and hoping it’ll be sufficient to maintain his eye in its socket looks as if an inexpensive possibility. However once more, that’s if it’s even an possibility in any respect.
The phrase “can’t catch a break” involves thoughts, however all Embiid appears to do is break within the playoffs. Final season, he performed by means of a torn meniscus, and the yr earlier than that, the Bubble season, he battled an ankle harm throughout a first-round exit towards the Celtics. The one season he’s been wholesome within the playoffs, by his shaky requirements, was 2019, when Kawhi Leonard famously hit the four-bounce buzzer beater in Sport 7 to ship Philly residence.
As somebody who loves basketball and would’ve voted Embiid for MVP had I been given a poll, it royally blows that this occurred. He had an insane common season, and seemed like Shaq with a stepback to start out the playoffs. And, generally, the NBA postseason with out stars by no means stops being demoralizing. Who is aware of how wholesome Devin Booker is, Khris Middleton is out for the Bucks-Celtics sequence, apparently Jaylen Brown’s hamstring is nagging him and now this? Who’s obtained an orbital bone that Embiid can borrow for just a few weeks?
G/O Media might get a fee
Harden supporters, if there are any left apart from I suppose Sixers’ followers and Daryl Morey, will now get to look at the Beard attempt to go one on 5 towards a workforce that simply decapitated the pinnacle of the Trae Younger-led snake with relative ease. Prefer it or not, we’re about to get the James Harden Actuality Tour.
He’s arguably the very best participant on the court docket now that Embiid is out, however we haven’t seen that model of Harden since he left Houston. Buckle up… or avert your eyes.
Ja Morant and Grizzlies advance, Tee Morant wins bragging rights over KAT Sr.
The final sequence of the primary spherical ended Friday evening as Minnesota blew one other late lead, getting outscored 40-22 within the last interval. It was the third time this sequence that the Wolves entered the fourth quarter with a double digit lead and misplaced.
Memphis now faces Golden State in a rematch of a play-in sport from final yr that the Grizzlies gained. The matchup oozes enjoyable as each groups are wholesome, and the quantity of depth, athleticism, ability, play-making, taking pictures, and stars is wonderful. (Please, basketball gods, give us seven video games.)
The actual winner from final evening was Tee Morant, who had an ongoing and good-natured feud with Karl Anthony Cities Sr. through the first spherical. After the sport, Tee made KAT Sr. take his son’s jersey.
Love the vitality, Tee, however there’s no manner Ja’s jersey is becoming Massive KAT.
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