After dropping 0-2 in their best-of-seven series against the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers can only hope that Joel Embiid will be finally activated to help them climb from the deep hole.
Bam Adebayo has been punishing the Sixers’ interior all series long, and the MVP candidate’s presence could have been a major solution to counter it.
But when Doc Rivers was asked about Embiid’s availability for Game 3, he only provided an answer that was filled with uncertainty.
“I really don’t know,” Rivers said, via Sixers writer Ky Carlin. “Honestly, we talked yesterday (Tuesday), we talked today (Wednesday), new generation, FaceTime. He looked good as far as talking, but he’s got so many steps to go through. I don’t think he’s cleared any of them right now. We just have to wait and see.”
Embiid’s concussion and orbital fracture are truly costing the franchise’s title hopes this season. Meanwhile, the productions of both DeAndre Jordan and Paul Reed are clearly insufficient to keep a tight hold on the Sixers’ frontcourt.
The series will now shift to Pennsylvania on Friday, and Philly can only pray for now that their franchise cornerstone will be good to go.
