Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid is expected to miss two to four weeks after suffering an orbital fracture in his left eye during the second quarter of Wednesday night's win over the New York Knicks.
According to the Sixers, surgery to address the orbital fracture will be performed in the coming days. ESPN's Zach Lowe reports that Embiid could return in two to four weeks, depending on how surgery goes.
Embiid sustained the injury after a collision with rookie point guard Markelle Fultz, who had just returned to the lineup after missing 68 games. Although Embiid passed the NBA's locker room concussion assessment tool he later began experiencing symptoms and has since been put in the NBA's concussion protocol. According to ESPN, Embiid was released from the hospital Thursday but will not travel with the team to Atlanta for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Embiid, 24, is the Sixers' leader in points, rebounds and blocks, averaging 22.9 points, 11 boards and 1.8 blocks per game. Philly, having already clinched a playoff spot, is currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 44-30, and they're just a half-game behind the third place Cleveland Cavaliers.
The playoffs kick off on April 14, meaning Embiid is in jeopardy of missing Philly's first round series. If the postseason started today, the Sixers would host the Indiana Pacers in the opening round.
Last night, Embiid took to social media to remind fans to "Trust The Process."