Fuck you injuries! You allowed Karl "What's child support?" Malone to play 80+ games in 17 out of 18 seasons but you can't allow me to enjoy the Philly Process or Lakers without you constantly messing with their young talent.
On Wednesday night, I got to watch Joel Embiid play for 9 minutes before he bumped heads with Markelle Fultz (playing in his second games since returning from his shoulder injury) and was taken to a hospital. The 76ers said Embiid suffered a facial contusion but not a concussion. Embiid posted a video from the hospital with the words "Not good."
Later that night -- that saw Brandon Ingram return after missing 12 games -- I got to watch three quarters of Lonzo Ball before he left the game with a left knee contusion after making contact with Harrison Barnes. Both Ball and Coach Walton didn't sound worried about the latest knee injury but Ball has already missed 16 games in 2018 because of soreness in that knee.
If those two scares weren't frustrating enough, I also watched the most exciting player in high school basketball, Zion Williamson, injure his thumb during the McDonalds All-American game. According to ESPN, the Duke commit will visit a personal orthopedist today to see if his thumb is broken or dislocated.
I expect Zion to be just fine by the time he throws down his first windmill dunk in a Duke uniform, Embiid will be just fine by the time the 76ers start the playoffs and Lonzo Ball will be just fine by the time he...makes his next viral dance video.
UPDATES
Zion Williamson: According to Jason Jordan of the USA Today, Zion's parents said Zion is "fine" and "good to go." He will have his finger check out by a doctor when they return to South Carolina.
Joel Embiid: Joel will miss two to four weeks after surgery for an orbital fracture on his left eye. He has also been placed in the NBA concussion protocol and will have to wear a mask when he returns. Hopefully it's a MF Doom mask.
Lonzo Ball: Zo is questionable for the Lakers next game after an MRI confirmed he does have a left knee contusion.