Joel Embiid shows immediate impact in Game 3, but Philadelphia 76ers still have 'a long way to go'

PHILADELPHIA — The Phantom of the Process is back — and, for the Philadelphia 76ers, not a moment too soon.

Joel Embiid returned after missing more than a week with a facial fracture and concussion to play 36 minutes, score 18 points and grab 11 rebounds and — most importantly — leading his 76ers to a 99-79 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 of this Eastern Conference semifinal, pulling Philadelphia back into the series after dropping the opening two games.

«No,» Embiid said, when asked if there was ever a moment when he thought he wouldn't return to the series. «When it happened, after we figured out what really happened, I didn't think about (the possibility of not playing).

»I just thought about what I was going to do to make sure that I was back at any point in that series, whether it was game one or game two or game three or game four. I was just doing really whatever possible, whatever that's possible to try to come back."

Embiid spent the past several days dealing with the after-effects of the concussion he suffered when he was hit in the face with an elbow by Raptors forward Pascal Siakam in Philadelphia's victory over Toronto in Game 6 of their first round series last week.

He was finally cleared from the league's concussion protocols Thursday, but said he needed to see how he responded to working out Thursday before it could officially be determined whether he would be able to play.

Ultimately, he was announced as part of the starting lineup after taking the court for his customary workout about 45 minutes before tip — one he went through while wearing the mask he would need to wear in the game.

«I can only imagine how difficult it is,» said James Harden, who had 17 points and six assists in 38 minutes. «I