Joel Embiid Officially Ruled out of Game 1 vs. Heat with Face Injury, Concussion

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was ruled out for the Sixers' playoff opener against the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Sixers head coach Brett Brown appeared on NBCSN's Dan Patrick Show (h/t NBC Sports Philadelphia) on Friday and said: "[Embiid] will not play in Game 1. He will not play in Game 1 and from that point going forward, we'll figure some stuff out. Unless something remarkable happens, Dan, I don't plan on him playing in Game 1."

Embiid hasn't played since suffering an orbital fracture and concussion against the New York Knicks on March 28.

Although Embiid has missed the past eight games, the 76ers have thrived with an 8-0 record during that stretch.

Overall, Philadelphia is riding a 16-game winning streak into the playoffs.

After missing each of his first two NBA seasons due to injury and being limited to 31 games in 2016-17, Embiid played a career-high 63 games this season.

The All-Star big man averaged 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks during those contests.

Veteran Amir Johnson will likely start in place of the injured Embiid in Game 1 of the Sixers' first-round playoff series. He will be tasked with keeping Heat center Hassan Whiteside in check.

When Embiid does return, it is expected that he will wear a protective mask after doing so during shootarounds.