76ers C Embiid needs surgery for orbital fracture
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid was diagnosed with a concussion and a fractured left orbital bone and will require surgery to repair the fracture, the team announced Thursday.
There is no current timetable for his recovery.
Embiid was originally diagnosed with facial contusions following a collision with rookie guard Markelle Fultz in Wednesday night's win over the New York Knicks.
According to a statement released Thursday, Embiid was asymptomatic when checked for a concussion immediately after the injury and passed the NBA's concussion assessment. However, "he later began experiencing symptoms and has since been diagnosed with a concussion," putting him in the league's concussion protocol.
The statement added that a CT scan found the fracture in Embiid's left orbital bone, noting surgery will take place "in the coming days."
Later Thursday night, Embiid posted a note to his Twitter account.
"I guess I gotta trust 'The Process' that I've been preaching... Unfortunate freak accident but I'll be more than fine. Injuries jokes coming in 3,2,1 #TheProcess #Two-Face," Embiid tweeted.
The 76ers said Wednesday night that Embiid had passed the concussion protocol and X-rays were negative, but that the center would be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. The team announced earlier Thursday that Embiid was undergoing further testing and would not travel with the team for this weekend's two-game road trip.
Embiid was injured when Fultz slammed into Embiid as both players were attempting to collect a loose ball.
"I was trying to get the ball," Fultz said after the game, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "At the same time I was watching him. My heart dropped really because I know he hit me. But he's a tough guy and I know he's going to be OK. All I can do is pray for him."
The 76ers (44-30) have already clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Embiid is averaging 22.9 points and 11 rebounds in 63 games.
--Field Level Media
