Joel Embiid, the star player for the Philadelphia 76ers, is getting closer to making a comeback before the regular season ends, coach Nick Nurse said on Wednesday.
Due to a left knee injury he received when Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors landed on him during a game on January 30, Embiid has been out of action. On February 6, Embiid had surgery to repair the damage to his knee.
With the Los Angeles Clippers visiting the squad on Wednesday, Nurse stated, “I think there’s a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff.”
Nurse added, “He’s on the court … and we still don’t have a timeline for his return. … I would imagine he’s getting better each day. It’s just trying to get him strong and confident and in shape and ramped up and all those wonderful words.”
The 76ers own a 26-8 record with Embiid on the floor this season. Without him, they were 13-25 entering play on Wednesday, 10-16 since Embiid got hurt on Jan. 30.
Embiid, 30, is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player. His average of 35.3 points per game this season would lead the league if he had played in enough games to qualify, and his rate of 11.3 rebounds per contest would rank among the top 10.
Nurse also gave updates on Robert Covington, out since the start of the new year due to a knee injury, and De’Anthony Melton, sidelined since late February because of a back ailment.
“Cov is progressing,” Nurse said. “Looks like he could make a return here at some point. … Melt is probably not as close yet. He’s still kind of on a pain-tolerance thing. But again, we’re kind of hopeful that both of them will be back at some point before this regular season ends.”
