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    76ers Fans Praise Joel Embiid's Passion, Toughness After Clearing Concussion Protocol

    Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVMay 6, 2022

    TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up ahead of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
    Cole Burston/Getty Images

    Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid received a ton of praise Friday on social media after he cleared concussion protocol.

    Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Embiid had not only cleared concussion protocol, but was "doing everything possible" to play in Game 3 of the Sixers' second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat on Friday despite also dealing with a fractured orbital bone and torn thumb ligament.

    Charania added that there is "optimism" Embiid will try to play Friday after being fitted for a mask, although he will have to be "comfortable" before getting fully cleared to play.

    Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice followed that up by reporting that Embiid had been upgraded from out to doubtful for Game 3.

    Embiid missed the first two games of the Heat series after suffering a concussion and orbital fracture in Game 6 of Philly's first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors.

    The Sixers have gone down 2-0 to Miami during Embiid's absence, underscoring the importance of the MVP candidate's presence on the court.

    76ers Fans Praise Joel Embiid's Passion, Toughness After Clearing Concussion Protocol
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    Despite him being far from guaranteed to play in Game 3, the positive tweets poured in for Embiid on Friday:

    Gabe 🇲🇽⚾️🚀 @gabe_c42

    JOEL EMBIID EMBODIES THE TOUGHNESS OF PHILADELPHIA <a href="https://t.co/INdznwSGUm">https://t.co/INdznwSGUm</a>

    Justin C. @WillWork4Sneaks

    Like how can you not love Joel Embiid as an athlete for this city <a href="https://t.co/z4W023s7Ck">https://t.co/z4W023s7Ck</a>

    Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix

    That <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoelEmbiid</a> is even trying to play through a torn thumb ligament and a broken orbital bone -- in addition to being just a week removed from a concussion -- is pretty remarkable. These are the kind of injuries that keep players out weeks, if not longer.

    SkoAvs misser 🫡🇲🇳 @ArbysWRLD

    Wow…… bone chilling……MVP

    KING MATTIMAL #SpreadLOVE Prophecy Wizard @MattyBigTime

    JOEL EMBIID TO THE RESCUEEEEE!!!! <a href="https://t.co/dyfzUlaDFl">pic.twitter.com/dyfzUlaDFl</a>

    Gossip And Sports @GossipAndSports

    Not all heroes wear capes, they wear masks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JoelEmbiid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JoelEmbiid</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/76ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#76ers</a> <a href="https://t.co/5H2YvwmYqS">pic.twitter.com/5H2YvwmYqS</a>

    EZ @Izzybb310

    <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoelEmbiid</a> <a href="https://t.co/f39Ym6mGcq">pic.twitter.com/f39Ym6mGcq</a>

    Seth Glinski @Sethro3

    There is no doubt that <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoelEmbiid</a> will do everything he can to convince everyone involved to let him play. Now we just need to see if the team and doctors will let him. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TTP</a>

    Dert2 (LM💙💃🏼💗💃🏽💛💃🏾) @DertTheSequel

    Joel Embiid is a fighter through and through

    Embiid has battled through myriad injuries during his six-year NBA career, and they even forced him to miss what would have been his first two NBA seasons in their entirety.

    Despite that, he has developed into a dominant force in the NBA, earning All-Star nods in each of the past five seasons and putting himself in MVP contention this season.

    The 7-footer enjoyed a career year during the 2021-22 regular season, leading the NBA in scoring with 30.6 points per game and adding 11,7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as well.

    Embiid also dominated during the first round of the playoffs and was the driving force behind the 76ers knocking the Raptors out of the playoffs.

    Now, the Sixers are facing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and if they don't get Embiid back soon, their season is in imminent danger of ending.