It has now been a full month since we last saw Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid on the basketball court. The reigning NBA MVP is still rehabbing a meniscus injury in his left knee which required the Sixers big man to undergo surgery in early February.
With so much uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s current injury status, there have been some rumors about the 7-foot center potentially being forced to sit out the remainder of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers Star Joel Embiid’s Defiant Message
Embiid is having none of it, though. In a recent interview, the 29-year-old announced that he has every intention of playing again this season:
“That’s the plan,” to return, Embiid told reporters Thursday, via the Associated Press. “Obviously, everything has to go right as far as getting healthy and being as close as I’m supposed to be.”
Unfortunately, neither Embiid nor the Sixers have been able to provide a firm timetable as to when he might be able to return to action. What you can say for sure, though, is that as of the moment, the former Kansas standout still remains quite a ways away from his much-awaited comeback.
“You can never tell how the body reacts, especially once you start ramping up,” Embiid said. “It all depends on how it feels and if it feels great. Then that’s good. If it doesn’t feel like it’s right, then you’ve got to keep going.”
Sixers Coach Nick Nurse Chimes In
Even head coach Nick Nurse has been non-committal about Embiid’s return. The one-time NBA champion shot-caller said that the team remains optimistic but at the same time, there is still no sense of certainty regarding Embiid’s status moving forward:
“We are certainly hopeful of a return and as soon as possible and all that stuff,” Nurse said. “I think our job remains to try and see what we can do to get these guys better. We know he’s going to slot right back in there and we make sure we figure out the right pieces around him. The right sets, style, all that stuff around him. The right defensive schemes around him.”
Without Embiid, the Sixers have now fallen to sixth in the East with a 33-25 record. It goes without saying that this squad needs their talisman back as soon as possible.
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