If the Philadelphia 76ers want to make any kind of playoff run out of play-in — or avoid play-in and make a run from sixth place — they’ll need Joel Embiid to return. The team is 8-13 since Embiid underwent surgery on his torn left lateral meniscus.
There is no timetable for his return from surgery, but coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism that Embiid could be back before the start of the playoffs, speaking to the media on Saturday: via Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“He saw the doctor last week,” the nurse said. “They are happy with the progress. The rumors of him being on the field, I believe, are true, but I haven’t seen any of it. We’ve been gone for a long time – I came back yesterday – and I haven’t seen him…
“I think it’s tricky,” Nurse said Saturday night… “I think there’s always stages in how these things progress. Everybody wants to know, ‘Well, how long is this going to last?” And they give a pretty wide range because everyone heals differently. There are things that go well, there are things that go backwards… there are all kinds of things like that. So I think we’re just trying to take things as they come, get him healthy – get him really healthy – and bring him back when he’s ready to go.
Nurse was then asked if he was confident Embiid would return this season.
“I still hope so and I’m pretty confident, yes,” the nurse said.
So do 76ers fans.
Embiid was playing at an MVP level again before the injury, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, while playing elite rim-protecting defense. The 76ers have a -1.6 net rating this season when he’s off the court, but they look like a playoff threat with him on. Philly not only needs to get Embiid back on the court, but also get Embiid back at MVP level if they want to be a playoff threat.
