Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been sidelined for five weeks following a meniscus repair surgery in his left knee. Initially, he was expected to make a comeback within six to eight weeks, but the latest about the reigning NBA MVP suggests otherwise.
However, an update from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on NBA Today has shifted expectations. According to Shelburne, Embiid is currently not ready for a return but has begun engaging in light court activities. The 76ers are now optimistic that Embiid might rejoin the lineup in the last week of the regular season, providing him a chance to regain some level of fitness before the playoffs commence.
“Well, he’s not anywhere close right now to coming back, but he is able get on the court and do some light work here,” Shelburne said. “The hope that they have in Philly is that they can just stay in the mix for Joel Embiid to come back the last week or so of the season, at least where he has a chance to get back some conditioning before the playoffs.”
Should Embiid’s return align with the beginning of the final regular season week, his recovery period will extend to just shy of nine weeks—surpassing the initially projected recovery window. This timeline adjustment means Embiid will have limited opportunity to reacclimate to game conditions and for the Sixers to adapt their play with him back on the court before the playoff battles begin.
The absence of Embiid, who has posted impressive averages of 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over 34 games this season, has notably impacted the Sixers. The team has struggled without him, recording a 7-11 record and ranking 25th in net rating at -6.1 since his surgery.
The Sixers have also contended with injuries to key players like Nicolas Batum and De’Anthony Melton, further complicating their campaign. However, the recent return of Tyrese Maxey after a concussion protocol absence injects some much-needed vitality into the lineup.
The Sixers’ immediate goal is to secure a playoff spot robust enough to avoid the play-in tournament, amidst the ongoing challenges without their superstar player.
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