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:
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) April 30, 2022
📹 @BrodesMedia
pic.twitter.com/nAonZC1LWb
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
