The Philadelphia 76ers will open their playoff series in Miami without star Joel Embiid, but there's optimism he could return as soon as Game 3 or 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Heat, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Embiid will not travel for Games 1 and 2 because of an orbital fracture and mild concussion, but a re-evaluation on Wednesday could clear the way for his return as soon as the series returns to Philadelphia on Friday, sources said.
There's an expectation that Embiid will clear protocols for the mild concussion soon, sources said, and he'll need to be cleared to play with the facial injury -- presumably with a protective mask.