Joel Embiid ‘expected’ to play in Sixers-Heat Game 3

This is surprising news.

A day after he was listed as doubtful, Joel Embiid’s status for Thursday night’s Sixers vs. Heat Game 3 is now probable, according to NBC Sports’ Jessica Camerato. He’s yet to play a game this series, and the teams are knotted with one win each. The Vertical’s Shams Charania reported that Embiid is expected to play barring any setbacks, and is likely to wear goggles AND a mask.

Without Embiid, the Sixers were able to roll past the Heat in Game 1, 130-103. J.J. Redick and Dario Saric combined for 48 points, and it appeared the Sixers might’ve been able to shoot their way past Miami with Embiid on the bench. With Redick returning to Earth, and Dwyane Wade’s Game 2 explosion, it became apparent that this series wouldn’t be a breeze.

Embiid’s return was an important one as the Sixers look to regain control of this series.

And nobody knows how exactly he’ll look both from a physical and aesthetic sense. The league needed to approve of his mask.