Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse is optimistic that star Joel Embiid could return to the court before the regular season ends.
“I think there’s a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff,” Nurse said ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Nurse said he hasn’t met with Embiid and doesn’t have an exact timetable for the 30-year-old’s return. He added that Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, is doing skill work and “trying to continue to advance all that stuff.”
Embiid hasn’t played since Jan. 30 when the Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on his leg, just below the knee. Embiid had surgery on his lateral meniscus in his left knee in early February, and The Athletic reported that the center could be sidelined for up to two months, based on his rehab and recovery.
The Sixers have gone 10-16 since Embiid injured his knee and are 39-33 overall this season. They would be a No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference in the Play-In Tournament bracket if the regular season ended Wednesday.
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