(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning regular-season MVP, is putting up monster numbers once again, and he has made himself a legitimate candidate to win the award again this season.
However, he missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ last game versus the Utah Jazz with knee swelling, and he also missed their contest on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Per Keith Pompey, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse says the team is taking things day to day with Embiid and that they hope he will be able to return on Friday when they play the Sacramento Kings.
“We’re still kind of going day-to-day. … We thought [Joel Embiid] was close to making this trip and playing today [vs. the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena]. So I would assume a few more days should get us even closer.”
– Nick Nurse hopes Embiid (left knee swelling) will be…
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 11, 2024
Embiid is currently leading the NBA in scoring with 34.6 points a game, and he’s also putting up 11.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 blocked shots per contest.
Thanks largely to him, the Sixers are in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 23-12 record.
However, if they’re without Embiid, who has a history of knee problems, for more than another game or two, they could very well fall in the standings.
The New York Knicks, who are in fourth place with a 22-15 record, have a five-game winning streak thanks to the acquisition of OG Anunoby, and the Miami Heat (21-15) are always a threat to leapfrog at least one team ahead of them.
After Wednesday, Philly will have a three-game homestand, but after that seven of their next eight games will be on the road.
To have any real chance of challenging the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks come playoff time, they will need Embiid to get well soon and continue his dominance.
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