Joel Embiid to Start 76ers vs. Heat Game 3 Despite Facial Injury; Will Wear Mask

For the first time since March 28, Joel Embiid will take the court with his teammates as the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the opening round of the 2018 NBA playoffs. 

Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania reported minutes before tip-off that the 7'0", 250-pound center had been cleared to play. 

Embiid missed the past 10 games after suffering an orbital fracture and concussion in a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz during a game against the New York Knicks on March 28.  

As NBC Sports Philadelphia tweeted, the Sixers star will be wearing a unique mask-goggles combination in order to protect his face:

Embiid raised eyebrows after he took to Instagram following Philadelphia's 113-103 loss in Game 2 on Monday to vent his frustrations about being held out of action:

Coach Brett Brown had no problem with his player's complaint, respecting the fact that he wants to be on the court.

That post stirred up talk once again about when he would be cleared to play. The team listed him as doubtful for Game 3 as recently as Wednesday, but come Thursday, there was momentum for a return. He was listed as probable hours before tip-off and ultimately cleared as game time approached.

Philadelphia was on its way to its eighth straight victory when Embiid went down and then proceeded to win its next nine contests before losing to Miami on Monday. With the series now tied at one game apiece, there is a sense of urgency.

Enter Embiid.

The former No. 3 overall pick averaged 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in a career-high 63 appearances during the regular season. 

Brown and Co. don't want to risk Embiid's long-term health by rushing him back to action before he's ready. But now that he has been medically cleared, it's time to let him play—and hope the mask keeps him out of harm's way.