Philadelphia 76ers All-NBA heart Joel Embiid returned to the court docket Tuesday night time for the primary time since Jan. 30.
Embiid, who had a corrective process to deal with a lateral meniscus damage in his left knee in early February, was upgraded from out to questionable earlier than the sport and was within the beginning lineup in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Embiid confirmed rust early within the contest, known as for an offensive foul within the first two minutes. He grabbed an early steal however turned the ball over 5 seconds later. However on the 8:56 mark of the primary quarter, Embiid scored his first basket in months, connecting on an 11-foot bounce shot, because the Sixers restricted his minutes within the opening body.
Embiid completed with 24 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures in 29 minutes. He missed all three of his 3-point makes an attempt however did go an ideal 12-for-12 from the free throw line. He added in six rebounds and a team-high seven assists because the 76ers defeated the Thunder 109-105.
Requested by TNT how he felt after the sport, Embiid replied frankly: “Not good. However I am glad we obtained via it and we obtained the win.”
The 2022-23 NBA MVP was in place to win his second consecutive MVP when the problematic left knee derailed his season. The Sixers have been 29-17 and in fifth place within the Japanese Convention and simply two video games behind second-place Milwaukee when Embiid final performed. Since then, the Sixers are 11-18 and dropped to eighth place.
The Sixers are headed for the play-in recreation the place they may have two possibilities to win one recreation and attain the playoffs.
Embiid averages 35.3 factors, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals and shoots 53.3% from the sphere and 36.6% on 3-pointers this season. Embiid is posting profession highs in factors and assists.
The Sixers’ success within the playoffs is incumbent on Embiid’s well being, however the Sixers will handle his minutes within the remaining seven regular-season video games.
Embiid informed TNT that his damage “took a toll mentally.”
“I simply needed to come back again. I feel we obtained an opportunity even the extent that I am at. And I am solely going to get higher,” Embiid mentioned.
As a result of he received’t attain 65 video games performed, Embiid is ineligible for main awards, reminiscent of MVP and All-NBA.
Contributing: Jace Evans