The Philadelphia 76ers may have fallen from a Top 3 team in the East to the eighth seed just weeks before the playoffs. However, Tyrese Maxey is not overly concerned about where they are in the standings, especially after playing the last couple of months without superstar Joel Embiid.
For Maxey, he knows what they are capable of when they are healthy.
Tyrese Maxey Issues Joel Embiid Warning To Philadelphia 76ers’ Doubters
Embiid last played for the 76ers last January 30, missing the last 25 games as a result of the meniscus injury in his left knee that needed surgery.
During that span, the Sixers have recorded a 10-15 recorded, pushing them down to the eighth seed in the standings. With a 39-32 record at the time of writing, however, Philly is only half a game behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
That means the 76ers still have a chance to automatically qualify for the playoffs instead of going through the Play-In.
Regardless of where they end up in the standings, though, Maxey’s only focus right now is to win games and make the playoffs no matter the path. Once they get to the postseason, the All-Star guard is confident they can take on anyone, especially once Embiid returns.
“I think if we get healthy, we have a chance. We have this one guy on our team who is like 7’2. I think he can average like 40 points a game. He’s pretty good,” Maxey said of their playoff chances with Embiid, via Pick Swap Media.
Sure enough, Maxey couldn’t have said it any better. With Embiid in the fold, the Sixers are just an infinitely better team. They have also improved at the trade deadline, adding a sharpshooter in Buddy Hield. Not to mention that the rest of the team has stepped up in the big man’s absence.
When Embiid returns, it’s safe to expect Philly to be an entirely different squad compared to the one they had prior to the center’s injury.
When Will Joel Embiid Return to the Philadelphia 76ers?
Joel Embiid has been expected to return from his injury before the playoffs, and it looks like he’s on track to do just that. According to the most recent updates, Embiid could return in two to three weeks as he continues to ramp up his on-court work.
“Joel Embiid is ramping up his workouts and is on the court almost every day according to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse. I’ve been told the hope is Joel could be back in 2-3 weeks,” John Clark of NBC Sports shared.
Of course it remains to be seen if Embiid will be able to play some more games before the postseason starts, but regardless, having him back is already a massive boost for the Philadelphia 76ers. Here’s to hoping that there won’t be any setback in his recovery. The Sixers really need him, after all.
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