After only playing 31 games in his first three seasons due to injury, Joel Embiid has taken a major step during the 2017-18 NBA season by playing in 63 games. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old suffered an orbital fracture to his left eye after a collision with Markelle Fultz against the New York Knicks.
With Embiid scheduled for surgery once the swelling goes down, there is currently no return timetable according to head coach Brett Brown. However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, there is hope the one-time All-Star only misses one playoff game:
If this is the case, it is certainly good news for Embiid and the Sixers as they make their first playoff appearance in five seasons. However, the focus for Philadelphia is still securing homecourt advantage in the first round.
As it currently stands, the Sixers own the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, but only half a game separates them from the Cleveland Cavaliers (third spot) and Indiana Pacers (fifth spot). With Ben Simmons becoming the team's first option and Fultz's recent return, it will be interesting how this plays out. In the final seven games, Philadelphia only plays two playoff-bound teams in the Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks.
Heading into the playoffs and depending on Embiid's return, the Sixers have become a team no one wants to face. With two of the best rising stars in the league, they are extremely young and competitive after years of rebuilding through the draft.
Embiid is averaging 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this season.
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