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Man, these Philadelphia 76ers just can't catch a break. After dispatching the Toronto Raptors in the first round, the team was ready to go in the second round. However, just recently, it was announced that star Joel Embiid has been ruled out indefinitely due to an orbital fracture and mild concussion. It's a massive blow for a team that badly needs their star.
Joel Embiid's injury is just about the worst thing that can happen to the Sixers at this point. Embiid actually suffered the same fracture to his other orbital bone in 2018. He returned three weeks later with a protective mask over him. Ramona Shelburne has already reported that the injury isn't as serious as that time, though, which is great.
Joel Embiid was evaluated by specialists tonight to determine the severity of the right orbital fracture. While his previous left orbital fracture in 2018 required surgery, sources told ESPN there has not been an indication that this injury will require a similar procedure.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 30, 2022
Because of that, there will be a massive hole to fill for the Sixers. Here are the players that need to step up big-time for the team amid Embiid's injury.
3 players that needs to step up for Sixers following Joel Embiid's injury
Paul Reed
With Embiid's injury, the most likely play for the Sixers at center is to start Paul Reed. This makes him a rather easy pick as one of the guys that needs to step up for the team in the series.
Reed will have his work cut out for him in the second round of the playoffs. Against the Heat, the Sixers' backup center will be put through the ringer by their opponent's centers. Bam Adebayo and PJ Tucker will force Reed to guard them at the perimeter. He'll also likely be attacked by the Heat's guards in isolation.
Paul Reed doesn't need to be Joel Embiid for the Sixers in the second round. He just needs to not be a liability for the team, because their center depth runs dangerously thin behind him.
James Harden
It feels a bit weird saying that a former MVP needs to step up in the playoffs, but here we are. James Harden was excellent in their series clincher against the Raptors, playing like his vintage self again. However, in that same series, the Sixers star was plagued with bouts of passiveness that arguably cost them two chances to close out Toronto.
With Joel Embiid out for the Sixers, James Harden needs to keep his motor up and running for the entire series. No more passing up open shots at the rim or idling around on the perimeter. This is exactly the scenario why Daryl Morey traded for Harden: as an insurance blanket in case their star got injured.
It will be difficult for Harden to face this Heat team: they are well-coached and have the units to deploy nearly any scheme imaginable. Still, for them to buy time for Embiid to come back as his masked self, Harden will have to overcome the vaunted Heat defense.
Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris has been the Batman of the Sixers so far. While Harden and Embiid rightfully got a lot of the praise for their performances, Harris has quietly been doing his job. He's been one of their best knock-down shooters, and he did a solid job at guarding the opponent's best forward.
With Embiid out for the foreseeable future, Harris will need to find a second gear for his production. Tyrese Maxey and Harden can only do so much together, after all. The Sixers forward will have a chance to prove his contract's worth and ball out during Embiid's absence. He might be the difference-maker for the team in their series.
