:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70815029/1240313826.0.jpg)
The Philadelphia 76ers closed out their first round series with a big 132-97 win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 on Wednesday night. The Sixers got off to a 3-0 lead in the series, but the Raptors battled back and won the next two straight before Philadelphia was able to finish them off in Game 6.
The Sixers will now look ahead to their second round series against the No. 1 seed Miami Heat, which gets underway on Monday, May 2.
Let’s take a look at the 76ers injury report and how it may impact the series.
Philadelphia 76ers injury report
The Sixers went from looking to be in good shape to losing their best player for potentially the entire series. Center Joel Embiid suffered a concussion and orbital fracture in the team’s Game 6 win over the Toronto Raptors. The concussion will cost him at least five days, but the orbital fracture is a bigger question. He reportedly will not need surgery, but with no timetable to return, it seems unlikely he makes it back for most, if not all, of this series.
This all comes as he is also dealing with a torn ligament in his thumb. He was planning on playing through the issue, and while it hasn’t done much to slow down his production, Embiid is going to be dealing with pain if and when he returns from the orbital fracture.
This is a big blow for the 76ers, who were looking like championship contenders despite losing a few games in a row to the Raptors. With Embiid potentially out for a few games, it’ll be up to veterans like Paul Millsap and DeAndre Jordan to provide decent minutes. The 76ers will need to shift their offensive scheme to focus it around James Harden, who will have to be a MVP-level player if Embiid is out.
The only other player listed on their injury report is 21-year-old center Charles Bassey, who has been sidelined since April 8 with a shoulder injury. The rookie has been playing with G League side Delaware Blue Coats, but rejoined the Sixers for their playoff run. He’s not expected to be part of coach Doc Rivers’ rotation throughout the playoffs, but Embiid’s injury could potentially open the door to playing time.