Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid finally returned to the court on Tuesday after a two-month absence due to a knee injury. The reigning MVP started the game against the Thunder, marking his first action since January 30th.
Embiid underwent surgery for a left meniscus tear and his return was a surprise, considering he missed the morning shootaround. However, he was upgraded to questionable just before tip-off and ultimately cleared to play.
This is a huge boost for the Sixers who have struggled in Embiid's absence, dropping to 8th in the Eastern Conference. Coach Nick Nurse previously hinted at Embiid joining the road trip for workouts, but his rapid rehab allowed for a quicker return.
Without Embiid, the Sixers went 11-18 and now face a potential Play-In Tournament appearance. However, a healthy Embiid makes them a force to be reckoned with. Before the injury, the Sixers boasted the league's third-best net rating, and Embiid was leading the scoring race (35.3 points per game) while putting up impressive rebounding (11.3) and assist (5.7) numbers.
His return, with just under two weeks remaining in the regular season, reignites the Sixers' title aspirations. While home-court advantage might be out of reach, they pose a serious threat in the playoffs. If they make it past the Play-In, they'll likely face the Boston Celtics or the Milwaukee Bucks.
