Joel Embiid Set to Return This Week for Philadelphia 76ers

On Monday, there was significant news for the Philadelphia 76ers regarding their reigning MVP, Joel Embiid. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the star center is "close to returning and anticipated to be back in action this week." The team is still assessing his availability for Tuesday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Embiid has faced challenges this season, having missed the entirety of February and March due to a meniscus injury. Prior to his injury, the Sixers boasted an impressive 26-8 record when Embiid was on the court. Throughout the season, he has maintained remarkable averages of 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 53.3% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc.

While Embiid's statistics could have positioned him for a second consecutive MVP award, his absence from a sufficient number of games will likely disqualify him from contention.


The Sixers had anticipated Embiid's return for the playoffs, especially as they struggled (40-35) in his absence and may need to navigate the Play-In Tournament for a postseason chance.

With Embiid back, the Sixers become formidable opponents for both Play-In adversaries and top-seeded Eastern Conference teams. His dynamic presence, alongside Tyrese Maxey, elevates the team's competitiveness.

Although Embiid has yet to progress beyond the second round, expecting him to spearhead an extensive playoff journey after missing a significant portion of the regular season is ambitious. Nonetheless, his return instills hope within the Sixers' ranks, as they flounder without his leadership.

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Source Bleacher Report : NBA Rumors: MVP Joel Embiid to Return to 76ers to Play This Week amid Injury Rehab