Sixers All-Star center Joel Embiid is set to return to the floor for Philadelphia next Tuesday against the Knicks, per Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter video link).
Embiid, who had been out all year while managing a knee injury, will serve a three-game suspension handed down after he shoved a reporter, then make his season debut once the suspension is up.
“Joel Embiid is ready,” Charania told Malika Andrews on “NBA Today.” “Sources tell me he will make his season debut next Tuesday at home against the Knicks in the Sixers’ NBA Cup opener. He’ll serve his three-day suspension tonight against the Clippers, Friday against the Lakers, Sunday at home against the Hornets, and then the attention can finally be on basketball for Joel Embiid.”
“We know how great he is when he’s on the court, former league MVP,” Charania continued. “(Sixers head coach) Nick Nurse said it the other day: they need him to re-focus everything about this season on the court, and to play the game of basketball.”
The seven-footer, a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA honoree, won league MVP honors in 2023. Last year, Embiid was healthy for just 39 contests. In those games, he averaged 34.7 points on .529/.388/.883 shooting splits. He also pulled down 11.0 rebounds, handed out 5.6 dimes, blocked 1.7 shots, and had 1.2 steals per night.
Without Embiid, Philadelphia has won just one game. The team is currently 1-5 on the young season.
I thought he was suspended for three games. So he might be ‘set to return’, but that’s when his suspension starts.
Agreed, he should play a game, then serve it. Seems like this could be easily manipulated
Making him play 3 games in a row seems like it might be a better punishment.
You thought wrong.
I didn’t think wrong. He’s suspended for three games. The Sixers just decided he was magically available right now so they could start the suspension immediately. Nothing sketchy there.
Could have appeled it. So he gets time. Just guessing here.
Bad guess. Looking forward to Tuesday
You didn’t think, so you thought wrong.
Season debut or season appearance?
Well the just dropped a stat. I think they just said… “No team that has started a season 1-5 has made an NBA finals”… Sixers are 1-5
So it’s a wrap. Catch you in the offseason.
Good to see you go
Wow! Philly sure is exciting this year!
Whoop Whoop …….
He wants 5 more days off…
I think its more BRAIN management