76ers-Heat: Joel Embiid displays incredible toughness in return, helps propel Philadelphia to Game 3 win

Miami leads 2-1, but the series feels different now

PHILADELPHIA -- Two things that can't be questioned are Joel Embiid's toughness and his desire to win. Less than 24 hours after clearing the NBA's concussion protocol and wearing a protective mask to shield the broken orbital bone that he suffered in the first round against the Toronto Raptors, Embiid was out on the floor for Game 3 against the Miami Heat, trying to help his team get a much-needed win after they dropped the first two games in the series without him. 

As if being fresh off of a concussion and operating with a broken face wasn't enough, the MVP finalist is also still playing with a torn ligament in his thumb that will require surgery after the season. Such a laundry list of injury issues would keep a lot of players in street clothes on the sideline, but Embiid was out on the court, giving it his all, and his presence proved pivotal. With the big man in the lineup, the 76ers were able to pull out a 99-79 victory, their first of the series, which now sits at 2-1 in favor of Miami. But while the Heat still have the lead in the series, the overall outlook has been altered. 

Statistically, Embiid didn't have his best game -- although an 18-point, 11-rebound performance being underwhelming is a testament to just how dominant Embiid typically is -- but his sheer presence out on the floor made all the difference for Philadelphia, on both ends.