A return timeline for Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid has been revealed. Sources inform NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark that the team hopes Embiid can be back on the floor in two to three weeks.
Embiid has missed the last 23 games, and the team has gone 9-14 in those contests. The Sixers have not been playing good basketball since Embiid’s absence, and that comes as no surprise. Without the seven-time All-Star this season, the team has a 12-23 record overall and has averaged 108.1 points per game.
The 30-year-old has missed the last month-plus due to surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee. Embiid underwent surgery on February 6th and continues to be limited to non-contact, walkthrough workouts. He hopes to start ramping up for game action once the calendar flips to April. Philadelphia’s last game of the regular season is against the Brooklyn Nets on April 14th. As things stand on March 22nd, the 76ers hold a 38-31 record and are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
If the season ended today, the 76ers would travel to Miami to take on the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament. Philadelphia is only 0.5 games back from the sixth seed. Avoiding the 7-10 seeds would secure them a guaranteed playoff spot, and is thus highly preferrable to finish below the sixth seed.
Joel Embiid #21 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers speak during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Embiid is on…
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A healthy Embiid, alongside his sidekick and first-time All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey, would be among the favorites in the East. Even without Embiid, they would still have been a tough out in the postseason. If Embiid is back on time for the postseason, they could be right in the mix for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Whether they sneak in through the play-in or secure a top-six seed, the Sixers can pose a huge problem for other East teams, possibly outside of the Boston Celtics.
Health has been a cause for concern for the 2023 MVP; this season, it is hurting his team tremendously. In 34 games this season, the big man is averaging 35.5 points per game on 53.3% shooting for the field, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals. The 76ers superstar last played on January 30th against the Golden State Warriors.
Even if Embiid is on the court, we have to wonder how healthy he will actually be. The playoffs are a different game, and the team will need him to be more than a decoy. He will need to be the superstar we know he’s capable of. Will he be ready for the load? We will find out that answer soon enough, possibly.
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