Joel Embiid Withstands Scary Hit to Mask, Returns to Finish Game 5
2 min read • May 11, 2022
All of Philadelphia collectively held its breath when Joel Embiid went down in the second quarter of the 120-85 Game 5 loss.
Embiid got up and finished the game, but remained on the ground for a bit after this impact from a ball hit by Heat center Dewayne Dedmon.
The runner-up in the MVP vote finished the game with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 33 minutes.
The play highlighted what the Pro Basketball Docs have noted since Embiid's masked return to the playoffs.
While the mask does offer some protection, it can't 100% protect the orbital fracture. Any contact to the right side of Embiid's face will hurt for the remainder of the playoffs and a wrong hit could worsen the fracture.
Fortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case this time.
Heat vs 76ers Game 6 Odds
Philadelphia is favored by 2.5 points at home in Game 6 on Thursday and the over/under is 207, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The 76ers are +320 to win the series and +3000 to win the NBA Finals.
