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Joel Embiid has faced a tumultuous start to the season, dealing with a combination of injuries and suspensions that have kept him from making his debut. His team, the Philadelphia 76ers, has struggled significantly without their star player, currently ranking among the worst in the NBA. After helping Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics, Embiid battled a knee injury, dealt with two NBA investigations, and was involved in an altercation with a columnist. However, there's finally some good news for the 76ers: Joel Embiid is expected to make his season debut Today, provided there are no further setbacks, though with the 7-footer, that's always a possibility. The 76ers will face New York Knicks where Embiid will feature.
Embiid’s suspension is now over, and he's no longer on the injury report. The 2023 NBA MVP is finally set to play for a Sixers team in dire need of his presence, sitting at 2-7 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
“It’s the right step in the right direction we’re trying to get to, Obviously, excited to have someone like him back to our team," said Sixers forward Caleb Martin after the shootaround.
Paul George to return too
Embiid will pair up for the first time with nine-time All-Star Paul George, who missed the first five games due to a bone bruise. Embiid, George, and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey were expected to form a powerful Big Three for the 76ers, positioning them as one of the top contenders in the East. However, the trio has yet to play a single game together.
The Sixers are coming off an overtime win against Charlotte, but they face a challenging climb to make the playoffs. Historically, only 20 teams have made the playoffs after starting 1-6 or 0-7, and it's been particularly rare in recent years. Over the last 27 seasons, only three teams—the 2003-04 Miami Heat (0-7), the 2004-05 Chicago Bulls (0-7), and the 2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans (1-6)—managed to recover from such starts and make the playoffs.
Embiid’s return could be the catalyst for a much-needed push toward a winning record.
The seven-time All-Star is coming back after managing a left knee issue and serving a three-game suspension for an altercation with a member of the media. However, Embiid has made it clear that he won’t play on back-to-back nights this season, meaning he will sit out the game against Cleveland the following day. The next set of back-to-back games is on Dec. 3, with a matchup at Charlotte followed by a home game against Orlando on Dec. 4.
Career Overview
- Games Played: 433
- Points Per Game (PPG): 27.9
- Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 11.2
- Assists Per Game (APG): 3.6
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 50.4%
- Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 34.1%
- Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 82.6%
- All-Star Appearances: 7 times
- NBA MVP: 2023
Team staff gives clarity
Coach Nick Nurse, along with the team’s medical and management staff, face a tricky situation in determining when Embiid should suit up. There's always the risk of another injury, which could derail the Sixers' season and push them toward the draft lottery instead of chasing their first NBA championship since 1983.
“Our medical is first and foremost. Joel is there, the front office, myself, everybody is weighing in. … We’re just trying to do something a little different and get him there (to the playoffs) this time," Nurse said on opening night.
Any potential setbacks with Embiid can be dealt with later, but for now, the focus is on his much-anticipated return.
On Tuesday, the Wells Fargo Center was adorned with banners featuring Embiid, and his teammates, as well as the fans, were thrilled to have him back on the floor for the first time since helping Team USA win a gold medal in the Paris Olympics.
“You’ve got to expect there to be hiccups and kinks and stuff like that Understand that’s what comes with putting a new team together and bringing pieces back. Just expect the unexpected," Nurse said on opening night.
“You’ve got to expect there to be hiccups and kinks and stuff like that Understand that’s what comes with putting a new team together and bringing pieces back. Just expect the unexpected," Nurse said on opening night.
