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The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping superstar center Joel Embiid can return from a knee injury at some point this season.
Speaking in Wednesday’s edition of Brian Windhorst and the Hoop collectiveESPN’s Tim Bontemps said that while it’s “unclear when” Embiid will be able to return, there is “optimism” within the Sixers organization that he will return at some point.
Despite the lack of a timetable, Bontemps added that Embiid is making progress in his workouts.
Embiid has been out of action since injuring his knee in the Jan. 30 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He underwent surgery in February to repair his meniscus injury and was scheduled to be evaluated in four weeks.
The reigning NBA MVP was considered the favorite to repeat when he fell. He averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 points in his first 34 games, highlighted by a streak of 22 consecutive games where he scored at least 30 points.
The Sixers are 10-21 with Embiid out of the lineup this season, and they have lost four of their last five games to fall to 36-29 on the year, which places them seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia has essentially gone from a championship contender with Embiid in the lineup to a team that may have to go through the playoff play-in tournament without him.
Paul Reed replaced Embiid in the starting lineup and he is averaging 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season.
The Sixers have no chance of being a serious contender and are in danger of falling out of the playoff race with Embiid on the mend. Tyrese Maxey has been an All-Star this season but is not capable of carrying the torch single-handedly with Embiid on the sidelines.
