NBA Rumors: 76ers’ Joel Embiid expected to return in Game 3 vs. Miami Heat

NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid is set to return for the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3. 

Down 2-0 to the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers are getting a huge shot in the arm ahead of a pivotal Game 3 matchup on their home floor. Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for Games 1 and 2 to start the series with multiple injuries, including a concussion, is doing everything he can to play.

Taking a step forward, according to Shams Charania, the expectation is that Embiid is set to return in Game 3. He’ll have to wear a protective mask, however, the fact that he’ll be on the court for the Sixers is great news for Philly. And it might be great news for the NBA as a whole.

This Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Heat and Sixers got that much more interesting. Depending on how Embiid looks in his return, there’s a good chance that this could still end up being one of the more competitive second-round series.

Embiid has been playing at an MVP level for much of the season, and into the playoffs, and if can get to maybe 80-90 percent of his form, the Sixers should be able to be much more competitive than they were in Games 1 and 2.

That said, that’s a big “if.” And placing that level of expectation on Embiid would not be fair. After all, we should remember that Embiid is trying to play through multiple injuries. It’s not just getting over the concussion. It’s not just the orbital bone fracture. It’s also the ligament injury in his thumb that Embiid will be playing through.

So while it would be easy to assume he can just be reinserted into the lineup and the Sixers will get back to form, it’s not that simple.

We’ll know early on in Game 3 (assuming Embiid does play) how effective he can truly be playing through pain. It’s a great story, but I’m not sure we can expect MVP Embiid tonight or at any point in the foreseeable future. That doesn’t mean this series won’t be competitive.