After missing the past nine games due to COVID-19, Sixers center Joel Embiid will be back on the court for Saturday’s contest with the Timberwolves, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Embiid hasn’t played since November 6 after testing positive for the virus. He reportedly experienced some COVID-19 symptoms, which explains why he was sidelined for so long. Philadelphia has been especially hard hit by the virus this season with Tobias Harris, Isaiah Joe and Matisse Thybulle also spending time in the league’s health and safety protocols.
After being an MVP finalist last year, Embiid was off to another strong start, although his numbers are down in several categories. Through nine games, he is averaging 21.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per night, but he is shooting just 43.5% from the field. The Sixers were 2-7 while Embiid was sidelined.
Harris will also return today after missing the past two games with a strained hip, Wojnarowski adds.
Great news for the Sixers, he’s way more important to their success than Simmons ever was. If Joel manages to stay healthy for most of the season they could go deep in the playoffs.
“deep into the playoffs” for Philly means the second round.
Less than 27% of NBA teams reach the 2nd round each year.
And?
Tough loss. Good thing Embiid was there. :)
…. felt like there was some missing defense. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Too bad that Ben isn’t mentally fit to play, right?
Probably should trade him for some free throws…
You gotta be kidding me, right?
I am a huge Embiid fan, but… seriously he had started the season horribly bad!
I mean PHI might have won, but that is irrelevant & inconsequential to his play, & probably he was playing the worst of his career, so please as a big fan of his don’t diss him by saying he had a strong start of the season, please!!!
Finally! Embiid proved me wrong, for which I am very happy, what a great game he had! I was hoping that after the 3 weeks off he would come back rested enough to play well… but, what a great game, hopefully he will carry on like that!
76ers are one of the top 3 teams in the East only if they trade Simmons right away
Ben Simmons isn’t getting traded anytime soon, let alone right away.
Even though the Wizards are currently tied for 2nd place with the Heat, they’re not really one of the top 3 teams in the east. Philly could be up there with Brooklyn, Miami, and Milwaukee even without trading Simmons.
Dummy Doc Rivers should be fired immediately for playing someone who had COVID 45 minutes and coming back for his first game. Or maybe the smartest coach in the room knows better.
Funny that this article failed to mention how the fully “vaccinated” embiid felt like he was going to die. I know i know it would have been much worse for him without the shots. Just ask aaron rodgers.