Embiid returns for Game 3 vs. Heat after concussion, orbital fracture

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was back in the lineup for his team's 99-79 Game 3 win against the Miami Heat on Friday.

Embiid, who sported a mask during the game, registered 18 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist, steal, and block apiece in 36 minutes. 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Embiid's minutes could potentially be limited due to his conditioning after missing Philadelphia's last two contests, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The five-time All-Star cleared concussion protocols earlier in the day and was determined to play in the pivotal encounter, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Embiid continues to recover from an orbital fracture and a torn ligament in his thumb. He missed the first two games of the second-round series after suffering the facial injury late in the Game 6 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The 76ers upgraded the big man to doubtful from out on the team's Friday afternoon injury report. Embiid also participated in Philadelphia's shootaround Friday morning, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

The 28-year-old averaged 26.2 points, 11.3 points, and 2.3 assists in six games against the Raptors in the first round.