For Game 1 of the first round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat, Sixers star center Joel Embiid was not able to suit up and don his black mask as the “Phantom of the Process” quite yet, but he remains optimistic that his playoff debut is right around the corner.

According to a tweet on Saturday from ESPN senior writer Ramona Shelburne, Embiid opened up about his chances of returning to the court from his facial injury for either Game 2 or Game 3 this upcoming week.

“If it was my decision I would play, but I can’t get back out on the court if I don’t have the OK from them,” Embiid said. “But everything has been going well.”

At halftime of Game 1 of this huge best-of-seven series between the Sixers and Heat, Miami took a 60-56 lead into the locker room. Although they trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, the Sixers rallied back to take the lead in the second quarter in what has been a back-and-forth contest so far at Wells Fargo Center.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
76ers Joel Embiid on the bench from game one or game two of playoff series vs. New York Knicks with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart smiling or laughing.

Drew Maresca ·

76ers' Joel Embiid in front of a picture of Embiid at the postgame podium in sunglasses

Sam DiGiovanni ·

Tom Thibodeau in New York Knicks coaching uniform

Brian Buyawe ·

As a team, the Sixers had a lot of trouble containing Heat reserve center Kelly Olynyk, who came off the bench to score a game-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting in just 13 minutes by halftime.

Philly guard Marco Belinelli led the Sixers in scoring at the half with 13 points, while rookie Ben Simmons had a very solid stat line heading into the locker room with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in 18 minutes of action.