Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, who is suffering from a fractured right eye socket and concussion, will not play the first two games of the AssociEst semifinals in Miami, but could work for the following, ESPN reported on Sunday.

The withdrawal of the Cameroonian star to start the series in Florida has not yet been formalized by his club, but it is not a surprise given the nature of his injury.

His return to the field for the third or fourth game in Philadelphia, however, is considered optimistic, ESPN reported, citing sources within the team.

At this time, Embiid must first be removed from the concussion protocol. You will also need to see a doctor in the middle of the week for a groin fracture. Game 3 is on Friday in Philadelphia.

The pivot was injured by an elbow by Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam last Thursday, during the last ten minutes of the 6th game he won in Toronto, synonymous with qualifying for the semifinals.

The insider, who is among the finalists for the most valuable player of the season award, had already suffered a similar injury around his left eye in 2018. He needed surgery and his absence lasted three weeks.

Embiid had already been injured during Game 3 against the Raptors, suffering from a torn ligament in his right thumb, but the player and his team preferred to wait until the end of the playoffs to consider surgery.