76ers center Joel Embiid is trying to back on the court with his team down 2-0 vs. the Heat. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

76ers star center Joel Embiid clears concussion protocol

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/6/22

Philadelphia 76ers star center and MVP finalist Joel Embiid has cleared one hurdle in his effort to get back on the court and propel his team back into its Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Miami Heat. The Cameroonian big man, as of late Friday morning, remains listed as out for Game 3 though.

It sounds like the Sixers are leaving the door open for a possible Embiid return on Friday however, and the five-time All-Star is pushing hard to make it back, as Philadelphia currently trails Miami in the best-of-seven set, 2-0.

The 76ers say Joel Embiid has cleared concussion protocol, and participated in shootaround. He remains out for the game, but his status could change between now and tonight’s game.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 6, 2022

76ers All-NBA star Joel Embiid has cleared concussion protocols. Dealing with orbital fracture and a torn ligament in thumb, Embiid is doing everything possible to be available to play in Game 3 tonight vs. Miami.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2022

There’s optimism Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will return tonight in Game 3 vs. Heat, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. He has been fitted for a mask and will need to feel comfortable before green light. One of the NBA's great play-through-pain efforts recently.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 6, 2022

Embiid suffered a concussion and orbital fracture in Game 6 of the Sixers' first-round series against the Toronto Raptors. On Tuesday, head coach Doc Rivers said that the former Kansas Jayhawk was "feeling a lot better," but he "didn't want to give false hope either."

The 28-year-old made his fifth consecutive All-Star team in 2022 and finished the regular season with a career-high (and NBA-best) 30.6 points per game, as well as 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest. Embiid's assists and minutes average (33.8) were both career highs, as were his 68 games played.

In the six-game first-round series against Toronto, he posted 26.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 39.0 minutes per contest while shooting 52% from the field.

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