Embiid undergoes orbital surgery, could reportedly return early in playoffs
The countdown has now begun for the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid.
Embiid, who suffered an orbital fracture after colliding with teammate Markelle Fultz in Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks, underwent successful surgery Saturday to repair the injury, the 76ers announced. While the team states there is currently no official timetable for Embiid's recovery, he will be re-evaluated in five-to-seven days.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, though, notes Embiid could return to the court in two weeks - the initial best-case timetable for the Cameroonian big man - but that will depend on Embiid's pain tolerance. Doctors will still have to medically clear the 24-year-old even when he feels ready, and the 76ers only plan for him to return when the fracture has fully recovered.
While the minimum two-week timetable would sideline Embiid through the start of the postseason, Wojnarowski reported Saturday on ESPN's NBA Countdown that the 76ers are hopeful he will only miss one playoff game. It's unclear if that optimism has changed now that Embiid has undergone the procedure.
The 76ers big man was also diagnosed with a concussion in the aftermath of the collision despite initially passing the league's concussion testing. The incident occurred just 10 seconds into the second quarter Wednesday, when Fultz's shoulder connected with Embiid's face during a botched hand-off.
Embiid is averaging 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 63 games this season.