Brown says there's 'unified effort' to get Embiid healthy
Joel Embiid is itching to get back on the court and has a full team of people supporting him.
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown said there's a "unified effort" - involving the team, Embiid's camp, and his surgeon - committed to the All-Star center's return to action, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
Embiid hasn't played since suffering an orbital bone fracture and concussion on March 28. He was reportedly expected to miss two-to-four weeks and was hoping to return early in the first round.
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The 24-year-old 7-footer officially cleared concussion protocol prior to Game 2 on Monday but didn't play in the 113-103 loss to the Miami Heat and complained about it afterward in a profane Instagram story post. He still hasn't been cleared for contact and there remains no timetable for his return, though Brown is optimistic it will come soon.
"It's progressing. When that ultimately leads to an answer he's playing, I don't believe is that far away, but we'll learn more over the next 48 hours I suspect," Brown said Tuesday, as quoted by NBC Sports' Jessica Camerato.
Related: Brown respects Embiid's frustration over not playing
Embiid averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks over 63 regular-season games. With or without him, the Sixers will look to regain their first-round series lead Thursday in Miami.