Joel Embiid ‘may not’ play on Thursday

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor  

The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a disappointing loss on Monday night to the Miami Heat and now hit the road for games three and four in the Sunshine State. Following the loss, Sixers big man Joel Embiid took to Instagram to display his displeasure with not being able to play, saying he was sick and tired of being "babied". Instead of reprimanding Embiid, head coach Brett Brown took the time to compliment his frustration.

“He just wants to play basketball, he wants to be with his team… I respect his frustration.”

Brett Brown on @JoelEmbiid’s “sick and tired” social media post. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mvOFsmFrKM

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 17, 2018

Embiid apparently spoke to ESPN after his post on Instagram, explaining himself. Have to respect his motivation to want to go out and there and play for the city of Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid to ESPN on the frustration behind his IG post from earlier, “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.”

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 17, 2018

Joel has cleared NBA concussion protocol, so it's now just a matter of getting cleared by the Sixers medical staff. Hopefully that happens before tip-off in Miami on Thursday.