Joel Embiid returns to 76ers lineup after lacking 9 video games

Joel Embiid returns after lacking 9 video games with proper knee soreness, tallying 18 factors and 4 rebounds.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned to the beginning lineup for the 76ers on Sunday in opposition to Atlanta after he missed the final 9 video games largely due to a sore proper knee.

The 76ers took the Hawks to 2 overtimes, however fell 142-134 when Jalen Johnson (career-high 41 factors) took management of the end. Embiid performed half-hour, scoring 18 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures whereas knocking down 4 rebounds and including a steal and a block.

Embiid had performed in solely six of 20 video games and averaged 19.7 factors and 5.5 rebounds for a Sixers staff that has hovered round .500 with out him. The 76ers are actually 4-3 with Embiid.

The 76ers upgraded Embiid to questionable on the harm report on Sunday afternoon and the two-time NBA scoring champion was cleared to play after his pregame exercise.

The 76ers will play for the primary time this season with their All-Star trio of Embiid, oft-injured Paul George and Tyrese Maxey collectively within the beginning lineup.

Embiid final performed within the 76ers’ win over Toronto on Nov. 8 and was formally out the following night time in opposition to Detroit as a result of he wasn’t cleared to play in back-to-backs within the wake of his restoration from April surgical procedure on his left knee. The 2023 NBA MVP, the 76ers mentioned it was Embiid’s proper knee soreness that saved him from taking part in till Sunday.

“I think they’re just trying to get it to where he feels good enough to play,” coach Nick Nurse mentioned earlier than Sunday’s sport.

The 76ers might use Embiid feeling ok to play headed right into a stretch the place the play 4 video games within the subsequent seven days that embody Washington, Golden State, Milwaukee and the Lakers.

The 31-year-old Embiid was restricted to 19 video games final season and had arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee in April following an injury-plagued season that additionally included a sprained left foot and a sinus fracture. He was dominated out for the season in late February after averaging 23.8 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Embiid has handled a number of accidents since even earlier than he entered the NBA. He suffered a stress fracture in his proper foot earlier than he was drafted out of Kansas that value him two years. From there, it was a bone bruise right here, a meniscus tear there. A busted orbital bone. A sprained shoulder. Tendinitis. Torn ligaments. Even Bell’s palsy.

Even with all of the accidents, the 76ers nonetheless signed Embiid in 2024 to a three-year, $193 million extension with a participant choice for the 2028-29 season that doesn’t kick in till subsequent season.