Joel Embiid 'Doubtful' For Game 3 Vs Heat

Well, 76ers fans, I have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that All-Star center Joel Embiid has cleared concussion protocol after suffering a nasty elbow to the face last week in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs against the Toronto Raptors. He also participated in the team shoot-around this morning.

The bad news is that he is still listed as "doubtful" for Game 3 tonight. Keep in mind that the "doubtful" listing is an upgrade from his previous status of "out," per ESPN. Small victories, I guess.

His team has sorely missed his contributions. They currently sit 0-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series, during which they have gone a paltry 14-for-64 in 3-pointers, per ESPN.

Still, teammate Tyrese Maxey remains focused:

"We're just preparing to win the game," Maxey said earlier on Friday. "Hopefully he plays. If he plays, great. If he doesn't play, he doesn't play, and we're just preparing as another game -- a game that we have to win."

That's the spirit of 76 that we like to see.

DR. DAVID CHAO: EXPECT JOEL EMBIID TO PLAY FOR SIXERS IN KEY GAME 3

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Even if he doesn't make it back into the lineup, he should wear that mask on the bench. The Heat never agreed to take on Batman.