NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid has cleared league concussion protocols, the Philadelphia 76ers said Friday, but the Cameroonian center could still miss a crucial playoff game against Miami.
Embiid took part in a morning shooting practice session with the Sixers and the team updated his status from out to doubtful for Friday’s third game against the Heat, adding that his status could change before tipoff.
The 28-year-old 7-footer (2.13m) suffered a right orbital bone fracture and concussion when struck in the head by the elbow of compatriot Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors in the last game of Philadelphia’s first-round series victory.
Embiid was sidelined for the first two games of Philadelphia’s second-round matchup at Miami, both losses for the Sixers.
The scene shifts to Philadelphia and the 76ers face a must-win situation, with no club in NBA history having ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.—APP
