Recapping Joel Embiid Injury Updates as 76ers Await His Return

Joel Embiid was officially diagnosed with a left meniscus injury in early February and underwent a procedure to repair his meniscus shortly after. Embiid has now missed 21 games due to his meniscus injury and the 76ers are 8-13 amid Embiid’s recovery and find themselves in play-in tournament range. 

Without the services of Joel Embiid, Philadelphia goes from a legit championship contender to a team that could barely squeeze into the play-in tournament. Despite the 76ers’ struggles without their MVP, a series of updates surrounding Embiid’s recovery have come out these past few days that give some much-needed clarity on when Embiid could return. 

Ramona Shelburne’s Joel Embiid Update

In Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s show NBA Today, senior ESPN writer Ramona Shelburne gave an update on Joel Embiid’s timetable and the mentality of the 76ers organization: 

“Well, [Joel Embiid’s] not anywhere close right now to coming back, but he is able to get on the court, do some light work. The hope that they have in Philly is that they can just stay in the mix for Joel Embiid to come back the last week or so of the season, and at least where he has a chance to get back some conditioning before the playoffs.” (ht: Sixers_Galaxy via X).

If Embiid were to make his return during the last week of the NBA regular season, he’d likely return after the 76ers’ three-game road trip where Philadelphia plays Miami, Memphis, and San Antonio. 

The 76ers will finish the regular season with three home games against Detroit, Orlando, and Brooklyn, which would be a perfect window for Embiid to return and ramp up his conditioning against lower-tier teams except Orlando. 

I’m told Joel Embiid is still on track to return in the first or second week of April before the playoffs #Sixers pic.twitter.com/tKbaP5AQ5l

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 14, 2024

Nick Nurse’s Latest on Joel Embiid

In Nick Nurse’s pre-game presser before Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, Nurse was asked about Joel Embiid’s recovery and if Shelburne’s report of Embiid doing on-court work was true: “[Joel Embiid] did see the doctor last week, they’re happy with his progress. The whispers of him being on the court, I believe are true, but I haven’t seen any of them.”

Nick Nurse “[Embiid] did see a doctor last week. They’re happy with the progress” pic.twitter.com/R7B0jfZ886

— PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) March 16, 2024

It is also jokingly worth noting that Joel Embiid drilled a corner three-pointer while dressed in street clothes after the 76ers’ 109-98 win over Charlotte, which was the first shot Embiid has made in Wells Fargo Center since he dropped 70 points on the San Antonio Spurs in January.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Joel Embiid participated in parts of the 76ers’ practice today and did non-contact work, but Nick Nurse said there is no timeline for Embiid’s return to action. 

The 76ers, with a record of 37-30 and possession of the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, will ultimately need to hold the fort down a bit longer as Philadelphia will take on the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center tomorrow and will then undergo a west coast road swing consisting of the Suns, Lakers, Clippers, and Kings.

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)