Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid could be back in action before the end of the regular season. Embiid has been out for 3 weeks now ailing a meniscus tear in his left knee an injury occurred during a game against the Warriors last month.
Embiid was having a historic season before going down with injury leading the Sixers inthe upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Embiid could be back late in the regular season having the chance to get back to form before the postseason.
“There’s optimism in Philadelphia that Joel Embiid can return at some point during the regular season at least close enough to the playoffs to get his rhythm going,” Ramona Shelburne said during NBA Today.
According to the Shelburne’s report, Embiid is on high spirits and there’s expectation as we also said a few weeks earlier that he will be back for the postseason. After a much-needed break this week, the Sixers are set to return to action in hope of securing the home court advantage.
Before his injury on Jan.31, the Sixers were 29-17 and close to the top-2 of the Eastern Conference. Since then, without Embiid, they went 3-5 in the final 8 games before the All-Star break.
With Embiid out, Sixers could struggle to maintain a top-6 finish
Embiid was having a historic season until his injury registering 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 53% shooting from the field. In the 34 games he played, the Sixers were outmatching opponents with a net-rating of +10.1 points per 100 possessions being dominant on both ends of the floor.
First-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey reiterated that the Sixers will have to stick together and step up their game with Embiid out.
“I just wanted guys to go out there and seize the moment, seize the opportunity…Joel is gonna be out for however long Joel’s out for. This is time for yall to go out there and not just showcase what y’all can do for this team but really help this team win games,” Maxey said via Sports Illustrated.
Maxey took a huge step this season becoming the No.2 option behind the Cameroonian star. The Kentucky product is averaging a career-high 25.7 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds on almost 45% shooting from the field and 37.2% from 3. The Sixers are in striking distance from a top-3 seed despite dropping games in the last few weeks.
It remains to be seen if Embiid’s absence will make them stronger or will sink them out of the Eastern Conference top-tier teams in the final 27 games of the season.
