Woj: Sixers remain optimistic that Joel Embiid can return to the lineup in late March

As I’m sure you all know, watching the Philadelphia 76ers without Joel Embiid has been absolute torture. 

Embiid has missed 24 games so far this season and the Sixers are a miserable 7-17 without him. Since he’s has been sidelined with his latest injury, the Sixers are just 4-8. After losing to the Celtics last night, the Sixers have lost two straight and 3-of-4 since returning from the All-Star Break.

Yesterday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was on NBA Today talking about Embiid and his expected timeline for return. Woj said that the Sixers’ organization remains “optimistic” that the reigning NBA MVP can return to the line up at the end of March after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus on February 6th.

Woj: 76ers remain ‘optimistic’ that Joel Embiid can return in late March

“They still are optimistic that they can get him back. I think there’s some hope that they can get him back on the court by sometime in late March back starting to get into condition. The goal here isn’t necessarily to try to bring him back and see how many regular season games you might be able to win with him. The goal is to get him as healthy as he can be for the postseason, hope they can hang in where they are, and then have as spry and mobile and conditioned of a Joel Embiid as they can for what would be either a play-in game. Maybe as a 7 seed or at five or six, you know, a nightmare first-round matchup for a team that gets home-court advantage in the East, and all of a sudden, here comes a healthy Joel Embiid with Buddy Hield with Kyle Lowry with the additions, but probably about a week away from getting an update on a timeline with him, but I think there’s still optimism in Philly that we will see Joel Embiid again this season.“

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Joel Embiid’s Projected ‘Ramp-Up’ Time Before Playoffs

Last week, Joel Embiid attended team practice and the organization remains optimistic about his return before the playoffs. That’s positive news and dare I say, could set up the Sixers with a healthy Embiid come playoff time – something that as we all know, rarely happens. 

The update from Woj pretty much aligns with the long-assumed recovery timeline for Embiid. Ideally, he will return to the Sixers’ lineup on April 2nd at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder and then have the six remaining regular season games to get back into “playing shape” ahead of the playoffs.  

Sixers’ misery continued last night on the road against the Boston Celtics. 

The Sixers managed to fight back from a 14-point deficit to pull within two points of the Boston Celtics with roughly nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. 

From there, Boston scored 17 straight points, including eight from Jayson Tatum to pull away and win 117-99. 

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 32 points and five assists. Outside of that, there wasn’t much of anything happening for the Sixers’ offense. 

Horrible.

• Tobias Harris: 13 PTS, 5-19 FG, 2-7 3PT
• Mo Bamba: 10 PTS, 6 REB, BLK
• Cameron Payne: 13 PTS, 5-9 FG, 3-5 3PT
• Ricky Council IV: 16 PTS, 3 REB, AST, 6-8 FG

WATCH: Arthur Embiid snubs Tobias Harris, high-fives Tyrese Maxey ahead of Sixers-Bucks game on Sunday >>

Buddy Hield scored just 6 points on 2-of-8 shooting from the floor. Kelly Oubre Jr notched 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting and Paul Reed didn’t score at all, posting 0 points on 0-of-3 shooting from the floor. 

Up Next for the Sixers: 

• Friday: Hornets at Sixers 
• Sunday: Sixers at Mavericks
• Tuesday: Sixers at Nets 
• Wednesday: Grizzlies at Sixers

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