Joel Embiid injury update: Will 76ers star play in Game 1 of 2022 NBA Playoffs series vs. Heat?

Jordan Greer

Joel Embiid injury update: Will 76ers star play in Game 1 of 2022 NBA Playoffs series vs. Heat? image

Joel Embiid just can't avoid the injury bug.

The 76ers star suffered a right thumb injury in the middle of Philadelphia's first-round series against Toronto, but he continued playing through the pain. Then, in the Sixers' Game 6 win, he took a hard shot to his head, resulting in an orbital fracture and mild concussion.

What is Embiid's status? Here are the latest updates on the MVP candidate ahead of Philadelphia's second-round matchup with Miami.

MORE: 76ers vs. Heat predictions, picks, series schedule

Will Joel Embiid play in Game 1 of 2022 NBA Playoffs vs. Heat?

Embiid is listed as out for Game 1 on the 76ers' official injury report. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday that Embiid will not travel to Miami for Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but there is "optimism" he could return as soon as Game 3 or 4 of the series.

There is an expectation that Embiid will clear concussion protocols soon, per Wojnarowski, and he would likely play with a mask when he returns to the court.

When he suffered a left orbital fracture during the 2017-18 season, Embiid missed the final eight games of the regular season and first two games of Philadelphia's postseason run. That injury required surgery, though, and the Sixers have given no indication that Embiid will need to undergo surgery this time.

What is Joel Embiid's injury?

During Game 6 of the first-round series between the 76ers and Raptors, Toronto forward Pascal Siakam caught Embiid with an inadvertent elbow on a drive to the basket.

Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion on this play:

📹 @BrodesMedia

pic.twitter.com/nAonZC1LWb

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) April 30, 2022

Embiid finished with 33 points and 10 rebounds in the Sixers' 132-97 win over the Raptors.

Philadelphia later confirmed that Embiid had suffered a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion.

76ers vs. Heat Game 1 injury report

(Current as of 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday)

Team Player Status Reason
Heat Jimmy Butler Questionable Right knee; inflammation
Heat Tyler Herro Questionable Chest; respiratory illness
Heat Kyle Lowry Out Left hamstring; strain
Heat Caleb Martin Questionable Left ankle; sprain
Heat Markieff Morris Questionable Chest; respiratory illness
Heat Max Strus Questionable Right hamstring; strain
Heat P.J. Tucker Questionable Right calf; strain
76ers Charles Bassey Questionable Right shoulder; soreness
76ers Joel Embiid Out Facial fracture/concussion

76ers vs. Heat Game 1 start time

  • Date: Monday, May 2
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Game 1 of the 76ers-Heat series will tip off around 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, May 2. The game will be played at FTX Arena in Miami.

76ers vs. Heat schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between the 76ers and Heat.

Date Game Time (ET)
May 2 Game 1 7:30 p.m.
May 4 Game 2 7:30 p.m.
May 6 Game 3 7 p.m.
May 8 Game 4 8 p.m.
May 10 Game 5* TBD
May 12 Game 6* TBD
May 15 Game 7* TBD

*if necessary

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.