Report: Embiid had multiple orbital fractures, at high risk of reinjury
More details have emerged about why the Philadelphia 76ers were so careful managing Joel Embiid's latest injury.
Embiid had multiple fractures in his orbital bone, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Given it was the second time he suffered damage to that part of his face - it happened when he played at Kansas in 2013-14 - the doctors determined he has a high risk of reinjury, so the 76ers spent 10 days developing a protective mask that would withstand the physicality of an NBA game.
"(The Sixers) did everything possible," Embiid told Shelburne. "They were like throwing stuff at it to make sure it could withstand it."
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The big man's agent, Leon Rose, even consulted with Richard Hamilton, the former NBA star most well known for playing with a mask, for tips on adapting to the facewear.
"(Hamilton) told us it'll get better because you'll feel more protected," Embiid said.
The All-Star suffered an orbital fracture to the bone around his left eye and a concussion on March 28 when he collided with teammate Markelle Fultz. He missed the final eight games of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason, playing in Game 3 after expressing frustration over being "babied" in an Instagram post.
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The 24-year-old Cameroonian posted 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in his playoff debut in Thursday's Game 3. The Miami Heat didn't go easy on Embiid, sending him to the free-throw line 11 times and even trying to break his mask in Philadelphia's 128-108 win, which gave the Sixers a 2-1 series lead.
Embiid averaged 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 63 games as a sophomore in the healthiest year of his pro career. He was sidelined for two full years due to foot injuries after being drafted No. 3 in 2014, and was limited to 31 games in his rookie campaign.