Joel Embiid‘s return from harm hasn’t gone as anticipated, as he’s been on-and-off the courts ever since he recovered. Though Philadelphia are the most popular workforce within the league proper now, as they’ve received their final eight video games in a row, the workforce wasn’t capable of qualify on to the NBA Playoffs and can now must struggle off the Warmth for a postseason berth.
Whereas each squads put together for his or her Play-in conflict on Wednesday night time in Philly, everyone seems to be anticipating the reigning MVP to be again in enterprise. The Sixers massive man first returned from a left lateral meniscus harm on April 2, however missed his workforce’s win on Sunday in opposition to the Nets.
The previous Friday in opposition to the Magic, he limped off the courtroom after a driving layup. He then returned for the second half with no points, however finally the coaches realised he ought to relaxation for the regular-season finale.
Joel Embiid 2023-2024 season:
34.7 PPG (1st, career-high)
11.0 RPG
5.6 APG (career-high)
1.7 BPG
1.2 SPG (career-high)
53% FG
39% 3PT (career-high)
88% FT (career-high)
31-8 document (65 win tempo)
+267Extra factors than minutes performed. Reigning MVP obtained even higher. pic.twitter.com/1hR4ojxovF
— Aidan Doc🧸 (@AidanDoc_) April 14, 2024
With the Miami matchup developing, coach Nick Nurse assured he needs to be again and prepared for motion on Wednesday. “Pay attention, he did all the pieces at apply yesterday,” he stated. “We simply determined, out of warning, to carry him. He’ll be able to go.”
Nonetheless, he couldn’t say the identical factor for De’Anthony Melton. “I’ve at all times had concern with him,” the tactician shared. “I feel it’s a tricky deal. It’s type of the second time we’ve gone by holding him out, making an attempt to deal with him, getting him to a spot the place he thinks he can play. He performed a pair video games, then he went out once more for an extended stretch. We carry him again, he performs one recreation, after which he’s out once more. I simply assume it’s very tough.
“I feel we’re in the identical state of affairs. They’re going to proceed to deal with him, attempt to get him higher. We’re hoping for a future right here, so there’s nonetheless at all times time as this goes to get him again and have him be an element on this factor. However it’s regarding.”
However, Nurse wasn’t capable of assure Melton’s return. “I don’t need to say both method,” the coach insisted, “however I might think about two issues: 1. He has most likely a little bit of a journey to get there for Wednesday. Some issues have gotten to go effectively. And a couple of. He hasn’t performed a lot. So it’s not time to be working guys again into the fold, proper? However as a collection goes on — if we’re lucky sufficient to get into one — and as time goes on, you by no means know.”
Coach Nurse doesn’t imagine KJ Martin and Robert Covington will get better from harm throughout their playoff run
Aside from Embiid and Melton, the 76ers camp has different gamers in restoration. Nonetheless, coach Nick Nurse isn’t optimistic about their return, as Robert Covington’s left knee bone bruise and KJ Martin’s left nice toe contusion aren’t anticipated to be wholesome within the coming months.
When requested about their possibilities of returning through the playoffs, their coach was clear. “No,” stated the Sixers tactician. “I don’t assume so. He simply hasn’t made sufficient progress. We did get him on the courtroom a pair instances final week. He simply hasn’t made sufficient progress in having the ability to transfer effectively sufficient with out ache.”
Even when Embiid doesn’t make his method again to compete within the Play-in, Tyrese Maxey has been main the pack in his absence. The younger star posted a powerful show throughout their solely matchup in opposition to the Warmth with out the reigning MVP, as he dropped 37 factors and handed out 11 assists on April 4.
“We had been type of in charge of our personal future,” Maxey shared. “We needed to win video games earlier than. That’s type of the place that we put ourselves in. That’s OK. I hold saying that for us, our predominant purpose was to be stepping in the precise course come playoff time. I feel we’re doing that.”
