(Photo : (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles through the fourth quarter towards the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Wells Fargo Center on April 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Philadelphia 76ers heart Joel Embiid made his extremely anticipated return final night time, serving to his Sixers choose up a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Embiid’s return to the court docket marked his first recreation since his restoration from a lateral meniscus damage, a process that stored him out of the sport for eight weeks.
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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid’s Return
Joel Embiid confirmed some rust to start out the sport, choosing up an offensive foul within the first two minutes, after which turning the ball instantly after.
He later managed to attain his first level late within the first quarter to get the ball rolling on his huge night time.
Embiid completed the night time scoring 24 factors on taking pictures 6 for 14 from the sector. He grabbed six rebounds, dished out a team-high seven assists, and had three steals in 29 minutes to assist the 76ers win.
Joel Embiid instructed TNT that his damage “took a toll mentally.”
“I just wanted to come back. I think we got a chance, even at my level, and I’m only going to get better,” Embiid mentioned.
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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid Keeps Sixers NBA Playoff Hopes Alive
Getting Joel Embiid again earlier than the NBA Playoffs was extraordinarily necessary for a Philadelphia 76ers crew in search of some consistency.
Before Embiid’s damage, the Sixers have been 29-17 and fifth within the NBA Eastern Conference. They’ve since slipped out of the playoff image, falling into the Play-in, going 11-18 with out the star heart and dropping all the way down to the eighth seed.
Embiid was taking part in a few of his finest basketball earlier than the damage, averaging 35.3 factors, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per recreation. He shot 53.3% from the sector this season and was 36.6% on 3-pointers.
The Process scored a career-high 70 factors towards the San Antonio Spurs and appeared poised to win his second consecutive NBA MVP award.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff success hinges on Joel Embiid’s well being and his availability within the postseason. If he can shake off the rust and play near how he did earlier within the season, the Sixers might make some noise within the NBA Playoffs.
The 76ers are presently the eighth seed within the East and are set to tackle the Miami Heat subsequent.
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