March 29, 2018
UPDATE: The worst possible outcome has come true for the Sixers. According to a press release from the team, Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with a concussion in addition to an orbital bone fracture of his left eye.
Philadelphia's description of the situation follows:
After suffering an injury at the 11:50 mark of 2nd quarter of last night’s game against New York, Joel Embiid was initially evaluated in the locker room and later taken to Jefferson Hospital for further evaluation and testing. Immediately following the injury, Embiid was assessed for a concussion, was asymptomatic at that time, and passed the NBA’s locker room concussion assessment tool.
However, he later began experiencing symptoms, has since been diagnosed with a concussion, and has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol. Embiid also underwent a CT scan, which revealed an orbital fracture of his left eye. Surgery will be performed in the coming days to address the orbital fracture, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
No timetable has been set for Embiid's return to the court.
Original story follows...
As the result of an injury suffered in the first half of Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks, Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the team's upcoming road trip over the weekend.
Embiid collided with Markelle Fultz during a play early in the second quarter of Philadelphia's 118-101 win over New York, and remained on the ground for several minutes before walking back to the locker room under his own power.
Joel Embiid is headed into the locker room after a collision on the court
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 28, 2018
Here is the play where it happened. pic.twitter.com/LoP8wWl4C6
Initial X-rays were negative and concussion tests at the arena ruled he had not suffered a concussion, but Embiid was ruled out for the game with a facial contusion. He was taken to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation Wednesday evening, and was not released until sometime on Thursday afternoon.
Embiid released a brief video on Instagram late Wednesday night, sharing a message of "not good" while laying in a hospital bed.
Embiid doesn't appear to be having a good time while stuck in a hospital bed pic.twitter.com/UNu6KVCysW
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) March 29, 2018
The Sixers have yet to issue a formal update regarding his status, but a team source indicated to PhillyVoice that the delay in a formal update was due in part to finalizing the exact diagnosis for Embiid. As of 3:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, the Sixers had not ruled out the possibility of either a facial injury or a concussion, despite the initial optimism suggested from the instant tests at the Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia would not provide an official timeline for when an update might come, but the Sixers hope to provide an update with more detail at some point Thursday evening, per a source familiar with the situation.
The man who collided with him was apologetic following the game on Wednesday.
"I'm really worried about him," said Fultz after the game. "I was trying to get the ball 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 okay."
The Sixers play the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets on the road before returning to play their next home game against the Brooklyn Nets.
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