Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will undergo surgery for an orbital fracture.

But his season not over.

What was initially reported to as no concussion and a facial contusion has turned into a concussion and a facial fracture that requires surgery.

The official update says “orbital fracture to the left eye,” but in reality it is a broken eye socket.


The eye should be fine, although there are rare occasions in which vision can be affected if the eye can’t move smoothly due to a fracture in the floor of the eye socket.

This is still something to be careful of, as no one wants to mess with a person’s vision. Embiid has also had previous injury issues with his knee and foot, so the 76ers certainly will be cautious with him.

Orbital fractures can be to the floor or to the rim. Embiid likely has a rim fracture based on how it happened.

Scary moment as Joel Embiid heads to the locker room following a collision on the court pic.twitter.com/OQ7Ay13hn3 — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 28, 2018


Reports Embiid’s “eye looked kind of caved” would also indicate rim fracture. Surgery indicates it is displaced.

Tiny plates and screws will be used, but no scar will be visible as the incision will be on the inside of the lower eyelid. Fortunately, this bone heals relatively quickly, but care must be taken to avoid a repeat blow.

Embiid’s regular season is certainly done. Surgery has not even occurred yet. Typically, one can do surgery early/immediately or wait for swelling to subside.

The earliest hope for return is in two weeks with a protective mask like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and others have used after facial fracture surgery.


Care must be taken, however, as a repeat fracture would be dangerous because the orbital bone is thin and delicate.

If things go well for Embiid and the 76ers, he could be back in time for the start of the playoffs. However, given the delicacy of the situation, with the team/player being snake-bitten with previous injuries and his importance to the franchise, I doubt the team or player will push their chances.

That means part or all of the 76ers’ first-round series might be in jeopardy.

Embiid should return at some point in the playoffs unless the team is conservative and holds him out for four weeks and the 76ers can’t get through the first round.


Provided they advance to the second round, Embiid is essentially guaranteed to return.