Joel Embiid hadn’t played a real NBA game since March 28. That was the same night he suffered a concussion and orbital fracture that required surgery and sidelined him for a total of 10 games. Embiid was determined to play in Game 3, and on Thursday, he reminded everyone just how damn good he is.
There is no answer for Joel Embiid
Embiid’s playoff debut was spectacular. He dominated the Heat in every way in Game 3.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
In his first game back, which was also his first career playoff game, Embiid lit into the Heat for 23 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep. The Heat had no answer for the Sixers big man; Hassan Whiteside didn’t stand a chance. It was another chippy game in what has turned into one of the better first-round series of this year’s playoffs, but the Embiid rose to the occasion, black mask and all.
We weren’t sure how dominant he would be with the mask and goggles on. It’s an awkward fit and has to be a nuisance for a player as physical as he is. Embiid’s first play was a rejection in the middle of the paint. That’s when everyone knew it was game time.
Embiid finished with three blocks on the night. He was hitting threes and shushing Heat fans, posting up defenders and finding the open man. Embiid was sensational. He left his fingerprint on every area of the game.
Embiid’s dominance is bad news for the Heat, but we knew that already
Miami and Philly had already split the first two games before Embiid’s return, but the 76ers won Game 1 by 27 points. They played a different, faster style without their big man, but there’s no question they were a better team with him on the floor.
Then he came back, and reminded the world why he’s one of the best big men in the league and the future of the center position the NBA seems to have forgotten about. He had 23 points in 28 minutes, and that was without having real games to get back into basketball shape after three weeks off. Imagine what he’ll be like in Round 2?
The Heat have no answer for Embiid, and unless Erik Spoelstra concocts something out of thin air, Miami will be in trouble for Game 3. The Heat tried to be physical, and that didn’t work.
There’s no blueprint for what does. And that’s the scariest part.
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