Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle listed as questionable for Game 6

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — Tale of the tape in Jimmy Butler vs. Joel Embiid: The simple reason Heat lead 3-2 as Game 6 looms. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 4:26 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
76ers vs. Heat: Injured Joel Embiid explains ‘lose-lose’ situation he’s battling in series against Miami
cbssports.com/nba/news/76ers… – 2:53 PM

Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: The eyebrow-raising data on the impact that Vincent and Strus are having, and Harden’s reaction to this. And 76ers, Embiid irritated about things. And more Heat: miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col… – 12:55 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
The tale of the tape in Jimmy Butler vs. Joel Embiid is as simple as Heat 3, 76ers 2, as Thursday’s Game 6 looms. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Embiid, “We have to pressure him. We haven’t done a good job on him.” – 12:47 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid and the #Sixers now face elimination on Thursday. He and the team discussed their mindset going into Game 6. sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/joel-emb… via @SixersWire – 11:49 AM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Joel Embiid is engaged in two battles — a fight against the Miami Heat and a fight against his own body. And if he can’t find a way to beat the internal struggle, the Sixers are dead men walking phillyvoice.com/joel-embiid-sa… – 11:47 AM

John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
5 takeaways from Heat-Sixers, Game 5…
▪️ Heat shut Sixers down, especially inside.
▪️ Nothing in the post for Embiid.
▪️ Fewer switches from the Heat.
▪️ Herro (& Robinson) let off the hook.
▪️ Heat offense: Also good.
nba.com/news/5-takeawa… – 10:33 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Joel Embiid on MVP: “I don’t know what else I have to do to win it” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/11/joe… – 10:01 AM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
In case you missed it, Joel Embiid responded the news that he didn’t win MVP as part of a rough night for him and the Sixers inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… – 9:44 AM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Joel Embiid was asked if he was putting himself at risk by playing in the Miami series…
“This is a lose-lose situation for me. If I don’t play, I’d probably be called soft. If I play and I play bad, it’s that I’m not good enough.” pic.twitter.com/D7Pvg9MXX9 – 9:15 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers lay down in Miami, from Doc Rivers to James Harden to Joel Embiid, in the playoffs | writes Marcus Hayes inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:40 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘I’m not mad’: Joel Embiid shrugs off losing MVP to Nikola Jokic and vows to focus on winning a championship with Sixers inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:38 AM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Lot of toxicity out there today, so all I’m gonna say is:
It’s fine to criticize a bad night from Embiid. He wasn’t aggressive enough. His teammates and coach didn’t do enough to get him touches, imo. But enough of the “it’s always something with him” crowd. – 8:26 AM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
“I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it’s okay” – Joel Embiid on the voting for MVP #NBA
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/13… – 8:21 AM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Five Degrees of Heat from Tuesday night’s 120-85 victory over the 76ers: sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…
1. This time easing to the finish.
2. Jimmy Butler keeps it up.
3. Max Strus makes things right from deep.
4. Duncan Robinson gets his (brief) chance.
5. A scare for Joel Embiid. – 8:17 AM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Joel Embiid on the MVP award: “Congrats to Nikola, he deserved it. He had an amazing season. There’s no right or wrong. There was a lot of candidates.” pic.twitter.com/eeadJBSgtI – 7:46 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
No excuses for the Sixers, or Joel Embiid last night. Giving it to them on @WIPMorningShow! – 6:58 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid believes he’s in a bit of a lose-lose situation when it comes to his current injury situation #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/11/joe… via @SixersWire #NBA – 6:53 AM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Sixers’ Joel Embiid says he isn’t mad about not being MVP, but doesn’t know what he has to do to win it
cbssports.com/nba/news/sixer… – 1:23 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
After losing out on the MVP award, Joel Embiid went on a very long rant about the MVP voting and he targeted Bill Simmons #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/05/10/joe… via @SixersWire #NBA – 11:51 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid took issue with Bill Simmons’ “F Jalen Green” podcast and what that could portray/reveal about award voters: “(He) has a lot of power. He can sway a lot of other media members and you got someone saying (that) type of stuff, I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think it’s OK” – 11:14 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Here’s Embiid’s full quote on the MVP decision, voters on the award, and focusing on the bigger picture: pic.twitter.com/1H14Rc30qm – 11:10 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Joel Embiid, 76ers anguished in Game 5 loss to Heat nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/10/joe… – 11:05 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid on not winning MVP: “This is something that I knew weeks ago (referencing @Tim Bontemps‘ straw poll)…I just knew it wasn’t gonna happen. Obviously, congrats to Nikola. He deserved it. He had an amazing season. There’s no right or wrong. There was a lot of candidates” – 11:03 PM

Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
Embiid: “This is a lose lose situation for me. if I don’t play, I’ll probably get called soft. If I played bad, [people] will come up with a bunch of stuff that he’s not good enough… Offensively, I haven’t been aggressive.” He said “I like our chances to come back here” Sunday. – 10:55 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Five Degrees of Heat from Tuesday night’s 120-85 victory over the 76ers: sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…
1. This time easing to the finish.
2. Jimmy Butler keeps it up.
3. Max Strus makes things right from 3.
4. Duncan Robinson gets his (brief) chance.
5. A scare for Joel Embiid. – 10:54 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Joel Embiid: Congrats to Nikola, he deserved it… There’s no right or wrong.”
Then brought up Bill Simmons’ comments on Jalen Green and said that he didn’t like them, wondered about the media votes and said he won’t care about awards anymore.
Will have his full answer later. – 10:53 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on MVP: “Obviously, congrats to Nikola, he deserved it.”
He goes on to cite Bill Simmons saying “f Jalen Green” on a podcast and openly wonders why someone who would say something like that has the ability to vote on NBA awards that can impact players’ salaries, etc. – 10:51 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid mentioned Bill Simmons for the “fuck Jalen Green” comment when discussing media voting for the season awards #Sixers – 10:51 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid congratulates Nikola Jokic for winning MVP. Says there is “no right or wrong” for the winner. He mentioned that he figured he wasn’t going to win weeks ago #Sixers – 10:50 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid congratulates Nikola Jokic on winning MVP, says there was no wrong answer and that he, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Devin Booker all had deserving cases to win. – 10:50 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid: “I like our chances coming back here.” #Sixers – 10:47 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid: “thought coming in i had the right mindset, i had the right mindset about what i wanted to accomplish…there’s a lot going on, sometimes your body and whatever’s going on won’t allow you to just be yourself. In those moments, you have to keep pushing and hope for the best – 10:46 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid said he still wasn’t sure what happened on the play in the second quarter, but that it was pretty painful in the moment. – 10:45 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid said the hit he took in the face was pretty painful, but he added that “it’s whatever” #Sixers – 10:44 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
“We didn’t play defense, we weren’t physical enough… we weren’t locked in” – Joel Embiid on tonight’s game #Sixers – 10:44 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
After he and Joel Embiid both took three free throws tonight, James Harden seemed to indicate he didn’t think the game was called evenly. “It’s supposed to be a playoff game, and physicality should be able to be on both ends of the ball.” – 10:35 PM

Surya Fernandez @SuryaHeatNBA
Amusing take by Barkley, but even if true Joel Embiid could have instead played like an MVP tonight and prove the voters wrong. – 10:30 PM

Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Great adjustment by Miami to put Jimmy on Maxey, shifting Strus to Harris and Vincent to Green. That allowed Jimmy to do what he does best: stunt on Harden and Embiid, erase passing lines, and fly out to spook his man from shooting or driving. Maxey was a total non-factor. – 10:16 PM

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Charles and the TNT crew provide entertainment, and I watch. His take on Joel Embiid being distracted by not winning MVP is a stretch. The dude is battling through some significant injuries and was in obvious pain on the hit to the face. – 10:06 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Embiid in pain as Miami and Butler dominates for 3-2
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/13… – 10:04 PM

Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Charles Barkley keeps saying Joel Embiid was distracted by the MVP vote. Or just maybe it was the concussion, face fracture, torn thumb ligaments and getting hit in the face again tonight. – 10:02 PM

John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
just spitballin’ here, Charles & Shaq, but maybe Embiid isn’t distracted maybe his energy was low bc he’s 67 percent broken – 9:58 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Final: Miami 120, Sixers 85
Sixers got run off the floor by Miami. Rivers has some serious offensive adjustments to make for Game 6 that have very little to do with making shots.
Have to see how Joel Embiid is feeling in the post-game, gutty that he’s even playing. – 9:50 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
FINAL: Heat 120, Sixers 85. Embiid had 17 points and 5 rebounds but was banged up and out of sorts save for one third-quarter spurt. Harden with 14 but was 5-of-13 from the floor and could not carry over Game 4 magic. Sixers shot 36.5 percent.
Sixers on brink of elimination. – 9:49 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Embiid tonight: Harden tonight:
17 PTS 14 PTS
5 REB 4 AST
12 FGA 5 TOV
3 FTA 3 FTA
-29 -29
Both benched with 8 minutes left. pic.twitter.com/LORN0RHXdV – 9:38 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Even the logic behind “Embiid is pouting because he didn’t win MVP” is hard to follow. Why would pouting be a productive response? Wouldn’t you think domination is the way someone feeling disrespected would respond? – 9:34 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Embiid won’t be on the floor again until Game 6 in Philly… – 9:32 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Let’s see… Embiid is struggling as he’s scored “only” 17 points thru 3 quarters. So should we blame those struggles on his facial fracture? or his sprained right thumb? Or maybe being the focal point of the Heat defense?
Nah let’s wildly speculate it’s b/c of the MVP vote lol – 9:29 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
How utterly disrespectful of TNT’s forward observers and studio stiffs to accuse Embiid of letting his not being voted MVP affect his effort!! How self-absorbed & weak willed they must perceive him!! No credit whatsoever to Miami’s defense either!! Freakin’ fraudulent!! – 9:27 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Embiid already on 32 minutes and he starts the 4th. Didn’t get much of a contest on Herro, then they get a runout to push to 19 immediately. Butler also stays out there. – 9:26 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid starting the fourth with Harden, Maxey, Thybulle and Niang. – 9:25 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tyrese Maxey drills a deep triple and Philadelphia is down 81-66 after 3 quarters. Joel Embiid has 17 points as Philly will try to make another run in this 4th quarter. #Sixers – 9:21 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Heat go up by 20 in third, take 81-66 lead into fourth. Butler with 21, Strus 14. Embiid with 17. Maxey 2 of 9. – 9:21 PM

Dave Early @DavidEarly
TNT really pushing this narrative that Embiid may be just moping and sulky from Jokic winning MVP. No sources cited but some consistent spec. pic.twitter.com/293U5w8dee – 9:20 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
This broadcast insinuating that Embiid has been soft because of not winning an award and not because he’s probably a little concerned about his face is probably microcosmic of how unjustified narratives feed into the voting process. – 9:18 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Miami’s help wasn’t as good on those last 2 Embiid drives (are they worried about Niang in the dunker spot on that last one?) – 9:11 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
This has been a much less tightly called game than Game 4, which is to Miami’s advantage. (I don’t think these have been fouls on these strips and off-ball fronts, btw.) Harden and Embiid have 3 FTA combined, Philly 36% from 2. – 9:09 PM

Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
The hurtin’ 4 certain Embiid has been reduced to window store manikin status… – 9:08 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Regardless of whether Doc wants to force feed Embiid, Miami isn’t interested. They continue to front and frustrate him. – 9:05 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid hits the first shot of the 2nd half for Philadelphia – only to be followed by 10 straight Miami points to balloon the lead back to 20. – 8:58 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Bam Adebayo doing quite the job defensively on Embiid tonight. – 8:54 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Feels like Jimmy is going to find Embiid every chance he gets in this third quarter… – 8:52 PM

Dave Early @DavidEarly
Charles Barkley a former Sixer thinks Joel Embiid had his “head in his ass” cause of the…MVP vote? But not the fractured face that just got slammed, the torn thumb, or recent concussion? Elite analysis! pic.twitter.com/iVdeJuEtyz – 8:49 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
That might have been the worst first half Joel Embiid played on both ends of the floor since Ben Simmons was on the Nets bench in Philadelphia – 8:43 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Heat lead the Sixers 56-44 at the half. Have already made as many 3s (7) as they did all of last game. Jimmy Butler has 14. James Harden has 10 points and four asissts. Embiid is 2 of 6 from the field. – 8:37 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Kinda think the only positive from that half from the Sixers’ standpoint is that Embiid was able to keep playing after taking the hit to the face.
They got outplayed pretty badly on both ends. And yet, somehow just a 12-point game. – 8:37 PM

Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
His Playoff presence this season is the biggest proof how good leader he is. Joel Embiid plays through pain, bumps and bruises. The real meaning of resilience! #Sixers #PhilaUnite – 8:28 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
I’m sure the fan sitting behind us who just yelled “This isn’t the WNBA! Step up!” in regards to Embiid would play through a broken eye socket and torn thumb ligament during his YMCA pick-up game. Assuming he can still play at that level. – 8:26 PM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Can’t shy away. Has to be same Embiid. Otherwise, it’s over. – 8:25 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid got up, took a detour on his way to the sidelines to express his displeasure at the no-call on Dewayne Dedmon.
Looked like Embiid was briefly checked out on the bench by medical staffers, given the OK to stay in after taking a hit to the face. – 8:25 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Embiid was down on the ground in what appeared to be serious pain after getting knocked in face by the ball after it got deflected.
He walked slowly back to the bench and got checked out by the Sixers medical staff — but he is staying in the game. – 8:24 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid was getting checked out on the bench after getting hit in the face. Looks like evertyhing is good as he’s back in the game #Sixers – 8:24 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
After getting checked out by the doctor, Embiid is back in the game. – 8:24 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Embiid remains in the game. Wow. – 8:24 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Embiid will stay in the game #Sixers – 8:24 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Embiid staying in. – 8:24 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid walking back to the sideline now, made sure to give Kane Fitzgerald an earful on the way there. Sitting on the bench, no trip to the locker room. – 8:23 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is up and walking to the bench. The crowd gave him an applause for getting up. Embiid went straight to the officials to make his case, however. #Sixers – 8:22 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Embiid is up and walking back to the bench, but not before getting a word with the ref first. – 8:22 PM

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Joel Embiid up now – 8:22 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Embiid was down for about a minute. pic.twitter.com/UABoHIfpDT – 8:22 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid is down after being hit in the face. It looked like Dewayne Dedmon hit him right in the face on the right side, where he has the fracture.
Embiid appears to be in a ton of pain. Doc Rivers was given a technical foul by Kane Fitzgerald, as well. – 8:22 PM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Oh crap. Embiid in serious pain. – 8:22 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid down and grabbong his face on the baseline. Getting immediate attention from Kevin Johnson. – 8:22 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Joel Embiid is down and seems to be in a lot of pain. He’s holding his face. – 8:21 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid still on the floor in obvious pain. – 8:21 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid is down. Hit in the face. He’s in a lot of pain. – 8:21 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Embiid blow to face, Critical moment here. Writing in pain. Technical on Rivers. – 8:21 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Joel Embiid is down and in pain. – 8:21 PM

John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
I think that was Embiid’s first post-up of Game 5. He’s drawn fouls on every single post-up in this series.
(He’s only had 5.) – 8:21 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Embiid down. Holding his face. – 8:21 PM

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
Embiid playing with Reed for a couple possessions was something – 8:20 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Kitchen-sink time for Doc, who is putting Embiid AND Reed on the floor at the same time with Harden, Maxey and Milton. – 8:18 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Paul Reed at the 4 along with Embiid and 3 guards. Interesting. Spo gets a timeout immediately, let’s see how he matches up. – 8:15 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Good adjustment from Doc, keeping Reed in the game with Embiid. – 8:14 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Bball Paul and Joel Embiid minutes. Let’s get weird. #Sixers – 8:14 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Paul Reed is staying in the game with Embiid (!!!) – 8:14 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Embiid out of the game and Heat getting to the rim. Heat leads 36-22. – 8:07 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
After 1: Miami 31, Philly 19.
Miami went 5-for-11 on its 3s, committed one turnover and got Jimmy Butler going (11 points on 5-for-8 shooting).
Philly committed four turnovers that became 8 Heat points, went 2-for-7 from 3-point range and Joel Embiid wasn’t involved enough. – 8:00 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
The Sixers did not leverage Embiid as a fulcrum of space at all really in that first quarter. The amount of pressure they’re showing him, Embiid did not get enough touches in those first 12 minutes. – 7:59 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Embiid looks lethargic out there. Fatigue, injuries, Miami’s physical defense — maybe a combination of all three — but he’s getting pushed off his spots and isn’t active in the paint. – 7:57 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Heat making it hard for the 76ers to even get Embiid the ball in the post. – 7:45 PM

John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
Sixers are just unable to get Embiid any catches near the basket. – 7:44 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Can not have three worse possessions in a row than that.
— Embiid doesn’t give the ball to Maxey early, messes up 2-on-1
— Harden stripped
— Green bad pass over the top, Embiid saves it for a turnover
Seven straight Miami points off those three turnovers. – 7:42 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Just a disastrous series of possessions there for Philadelphia, including Joel Embiid appearing to tweak his back after diving into the stands. Poor offensive execution leading to repeated open looks for Miami, and allowing the Heat to jump out to an early 18-10 lead. – 7:41 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid grabbing at his lower back a bunch after trying to save that errant pass on the last possession. Yet another thing to keep an eye on – 7:41 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Embiid is hurting. Dove into crowd and is grabbing his back. – 7:41 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
P.J. Tucker with some great one-one-one defense vs. Joel Embiid on that possession. – 7:39 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
For 76ers — does Joel Embiid in Miami mean that Danny Green and James Harden’s jumpers will show up there as well?
For Heat — Does Erik Spoelstra have a lineup for Duncan Robinson’s defense? – 7:20 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
I will say Joel Embiid looks much more comfortable with the mask on. He was pretty loose before Game 4 and he looks good warming up today. #Sixers – 6:47 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is preparing for Game 5 #Sixers pic.twitter.com/YFNwdUTKKR – 6:41 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Masked Joel Embiid getting ready to take on the #Heat in Miami for the first time this postseason #Sixers pic.twitter.com/8fOWFBFJDO – 6:41 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
With Heat’s Kyle Lowry down, Gabe Vincent again asked to step up. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Plus: Heat at home; uneven shooting; Embiid snubbed; schedule update. – 6:05 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — The terrible twos? Heat double-teams of 76ers’ Joel Embiid not producing easy answers sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 5:43 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
That was Matisse Thybulle’s first made 3-pointer since Game 2 vs. Toronto. He’d been 0 for 5 since. – 8:27 PM