Finding themselves down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia 76ers have been overwhelmed by the Miami Heat’s commandment of the boards and paint with superstar center Joel Embiid still sidelined due to an orbital fracture and concussion sustained in Game 6 of the first round.
After Wednesday nights 119-103 loss, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers reiterated his uncertainty surrounding the five-time All-Star’s return to the court.
“I really don’t know. We talked [Tuesday], and we talked [Wednesday],” Rivers said in his postgame press conference.
“He looked good, as far as talking. But he’s got so many steps to go through, and I don’t think he’s cleared any of them right now. So we just have to wait and see.”
Mid-way through the third quarter of Game 2, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported that Embiid had told him he’s feeling better, but Tuesday was the first day since the injury that he was able to use his phone as the brightness of the screen was causing discomfort.
This was a great piece of reporting by @ChrisBHaynes at the Sixers game. Says Joel Embiid could not even look at the screen of his cell phone without it irritating him as of Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/2s7sp1BUsm
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) May 5, 2022
On Tuesday, Rivers added that he didn’t want to provide any “false hope” toward his star big mans’ return. But with Game 3 back at home in front of the Philly fans on Friday night, the fourth year coach for the Sixers third-year coach said, “That’s what the film is for, and that’s what adjustments are for.”
