By Stephen Diener
In case your head was spinning from what ended up being a Friday night full of sports news, we’re here to recap everything for you in one nice and neat package.
First, as night two of the NFL draft was beginning, the shocking news broke that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid suffered an orbital bone fracture and mild concussion at the end of their game 6 victory against the Raptors. The news left Sixers and Heat fans alike shocked as the realization set in that the MVP candidate will have to miss their second round playoff series against the Heat.
Sources: 76ers All-NBA star Joel Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture and mild concussion in series-clinching Game 6 win last night in Toronto. He will be listed as out and there is no timetable for his return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 30, 2022
The landscape of that series has now changed dramatically with Philadelphia being left with James Harden and Tyrese Maxey as their main scorers and trying to find a way to fill the giant, (literally), void that Embiid leaves.
Then, later on that night at around 11:30 pm, the Miami Dolphins made the 102nd pick of the NFL draft as round 3 was coming to a close. And it was an absolute home run.
The Dolphins made the most out the first of their lowly four picks of the 2022 draft with their selection of Channing Tindall, one of the star linebackers from that now legendary Georgia defense last season that led them to the championship.
At long last, the #Dolphins make a pick — At No. 102, they select #Georgia LB Channing Tindall.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2022
His speed and athleticism have Dolphin fans clamoring with excitement.
New @MiamiDolphins LB Channing Tindall tested like a WR at the Combine: (percentile among LBs)
4.47 40-yard dash = 96th percentile
42” vertical = 100% percentile
10’9” broad = 97th percentile
10.63” hands = 99th percentile— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) April 30, 2022
Channing Tindall and Jerome Baker, the Inside Linebackers of THE Miami Dolphins! Give me a #FinsUp if you’re PUMPED pic.twitter.com/JzN8di4UDI
— Nando Talk (@NandoTalk_) April 30, 2022
Then finally, at around 1 am this morning, we got our cherry on top. Not only did we find out who the Panthers would be facing in the first round of the NHL playoffs starting next week, but we also found out how the schedule is going to work and it couldn’t have come together any better for SFL sports fans.
Florida will be facing off against an old foe in the Washington Capitals starting with game one on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. Why is that time and date significant though? Because it creates a dream scenario of a revolving cycle of playoff games that will leave our heads spinning in the most glorious way possible.
5/2: 76ers @ Heat
5/3: Caps @ Panthers
5/4: 76ers @ Heat
5/5: Caps @ Panthers
5/6: Heat @ 76ers
5/7: Panthers @ Caps
5/8: Heat @ 76ers
5/9: Panthers @ Caps
5/10: 76ers @ Heat
5/11: Caps @ Panthers
5/12: Heat @ 76ers
5/13: Panthers @ Caps
5/15: 76ers @ Heat, Caps @ PanthersBoom.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 30, 2022
Yes, that’s right, for the first time ever we will get rotating Heat and Panthers playoff games and it is absolutely beautiful!
So, enjoy sports fans, because times like these don’t happen very often.