Philadelphia 76ers middle Joel Embiid is anticipated to return to the court docket earlier than the top of the common season in time for the 2024 NBA Playoffs, based on Sixers coach Nick Nurse.
“I feel there’s an excellent chance that he’ll return earlier than the play-in, playoff,” Nurse stated earlier than Wednesday night time’s house recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Embiid hasn’t performed since Jan. 30, when Golden State Warriors ahead Jonathan Kuminga fell on his left leg within the fourth quarter of a 119-107 loss in San Francisco.
Referring to a couple NBA betting websites, the 76ers maintain 14th-ranked odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are exhibiting higher odds for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Warmth.
Nick Nurse says there’s a “superb chance” that Joel Embiid will return earlier than the top of normal season
“He’s on the court docket and getting higher every day” pic.twitter.com/9sD3NqYrVG
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 27, 2024
With out the seven-time All-Star since then, the 76ers have gone 10-16, the Tenth-best document within the Jap Convention over that span. Tyrese Maxey has helped the staff keep afloat within the standings.
Previous to Embiid’s harm, he was averaging profession highs of 35.3 factors and 5.7 assists, together with 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 34 minutes per recreation. Plus, he was capturing 53.3% from the sphere and a career-best 88.3% on the foul line.
Philadelphia 76ers are 26-8 with reigning MVP middle Joel Embiid, 13-25 with out him this season
Embiid is seven weeks faraway from having surgical procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee. Nurse added that there’s “no timetable” for his return. Nonetheless, he additionally stated that Embiid continues to take part in on-court work.
“I haven’t met with him,” Nurse stated. “I’ve talked with him, FaceTimed with him a pair occasions. He’s on the court docket, as you guys know, and we nonetheless don’t have a timeline for his return.”
“I’d think about he’s getting higher every day. It’s simply making an attempt to get him robust and assured and in form and ramped up and all these great phrases.”
Reporting on Joel Embiid for NBA Countdown with @malika_andrews pic.twitter.com/nXI5WbZAF0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 28, 2024
Moreover, Nurse talked about to reporters on Wednesday that he would supply an replace when Embiid progresses to contact observe or different steps earlier than his long-awaited return to the court docket.
Embiid underwent surgical procedure to restore the torn meniscus in his left knee on Feb. 6.
The Sixers’ unique timeline for Embiid was 6-8 weeks. Eight weeks out from Feb. 6 can be April 2. Philadelphia will host the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder that night time on the Wells Fargo Middle.
Following that matchup, the staff may have a three-game highway journey on the Warmth (April 4), the Memphis Grizzlies (April 6), and the San Antonio Spurs (April 7) earlier than ending the season with a three-game homestand.
Final season, the Sixers went 11-5 throughout the common season and 2-0 within the playoffs with out the reigning MVP. Philadelphia is 26-8 with Embiid this season and 13-25 with out him.
