Joel Embiid left the Philadelphia 76ers 118-101 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night early in the second quarter. The All-Star big man caught a blow from his teammate Markelle Fultz coming around on a screen.
Joel Embiid went to the locker room after taking a hit to the head ? pic.twitter.com/vGAX2sFNUx
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 28, 2018
According to the Philadelphia 76ers, after further evaluation, it was determined Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and a concussion. Embiid will undergo surgery to repair the fracture and Zach Lowe of ESPN reports Embiid could miss 2-4 weeks depending on how his surgery goes.
Joel Embiid update: pic.twitter.com/PEgYZYq3fh
— x – Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 29, 2018
Pending the results of surgery, Embiid could return to play in 2-4 weeks, per league source. First round obviously in some jeopardy.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) March 30, 2018
It was a breakout All-Star season for Joel Embiid in his first full campaign with the Sixers following two seasons of inactivity due to injury and his third season was limited to only 31 games played. In 63 games this season Embiid posted per game averages of 22.9 points, 11 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 48 percent from the field in about 30 minutes per game.
With Embiid presumably sidelined for the remainder of the Sixers season, it’s now on the team to stay afloat in the standings and secure home court for at least the first round. They are currently seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference, only a half-game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third seed and a half-game ahead of the fifth seed Indiana Pacers.
