Philadelphia 76ers’ cornerstone, Joel Embiid, continues to advance in his recovery from a left knee injury, marking an encouraging development for the team.
ESPN’s Katie George, reporting during the game broadcast, revealed that the reigning MVP has commenced on-court workouts and has resumed lifting weights at full capacity, matching his pre-injury regimen. The team is anticipated to provide a formal update soon, as noted by ESPN’s Austin Krell.
Embiid’s injury, a significant meniscus tear necessitating surgery on February 6th, initially carried a four-week re-evaluation timeline.
The absence of the seven-time All-Star has been palpably felt by the 76ers, evident in their 6-8 record across the 14 games since Embiid’s last appearance on January 30th.
Despite the setback, the 29-year-old remains optimistic about his return ahead of the playoffs, expressing to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that he feels “good” despite the absence of a definitive timeline.
The potential return of Embiid would undoubtedly invigorate Philadelphia, particularly given his stellar performance leading up to the injury. In 34 starts, he boasted averages of 35.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, coupled with shooting efficiencies of 53.3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, Embiid showcased his versatility under the guidance of new head coach Nick Nurse, averaging a career-best 5.7 assists per game. His absence has posed challenges for the 76ers, who have struggled to find a suitable replacement in the center position.
While replicating Embiid’s production is a tall order for any player, Philadelphia has experimented with various options at center. Initially, Paul Reed assumed the starting role, but he subsequently transitioned back to a reserve role in favor of Mo Bamba during the team’s recent outings.
Despite modest contributions from Bamba, averaging 5.0 points in 16.5 minutes per game in his two starts, the 76ers managed to secure victories in both contests.
With a current record of 35-25, Philadelphia remains on course for their seventh consecutive playoff appearance. However, their postseason aspirations hinge significantly on the return and performance of Joel Embiid.
