Joel Embiid is frustrated that Philadelphia team doctors won’t clear him to play, and took to Instagram to express his frustration Monday night after helplessly watching a 113-103 Game 2 loss against the Miami Heat.
Joel Embiid isn’t happy. pic.twitter.com/nBGNSLRlKH
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 17, 2018
Sixers head coach Brett Brown says he understands the big fella’s anger, but offered little in the way of a medical update ahead of Game 3.
Brett Brown: “(Joel Embiid) just wants to play basketball, he wants to be with his team.” (via @nbatv)pic.twitter.com/SuljWS56Vp
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 17, 2018
Embiid says he’s seeking “the green light to play.”
Per ESPN:
Embiid has been sidelined since March 28 after suffering a broken orbital bone and concussion in a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz. He underwent surgery to repair the fracture.
When asked about the Instagram post, Embiid told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne: “I promised the city the playoffs and I’m not on the court and I may not be on Thursday either. I wish more than anything that I was out there. I just want the green light to play.”
Brown said Monday that he did not have a problem with Embiid showing frustration about his absence.
“He just wants to play basketball. He wants to be with his team. He wants to play in front of the fans, and he wants to see this through,” the coach said after the Sixers’ 113-103 loss. “And when he’s not able to do that, he gets frustrated, and we respect his frustration. It’s born out of competitiveness, and it’s born out of him wanting to be with his team.”
