Philadelphia 76ers heart Joel Embiid is on observe to return from knee surgical procedure when coaching camp opens in September.
Embiid had arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee in April following a disastrous, injury-plagued season that restricted the two-time NBA scoring champion to simply 19 video games.
Workforce President Daryl Morey talked to Embiid hours forward of the primary spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday evening — the 76ers chosen Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 general decide — and felt inspired by the All-Star’s progress.
“He is very engaged, attacking rehab,” Morey mentioned. “Doing all the things he can to be on the market. He had a gathering with [the surgeon] this week. All issues, to make use of a NASA time period, are nominal. Issues are going nicely and anticipated, and we count on that to proceed.”
The 76ers will get an early bounce on coaching camp this season as a result of they’ll play preseason video games in early October towards the New York Knicks within the Abu Dhabi Video games.
The 76ers count on the 31-year-old Embiid in camp.
“Issues are on observe to be prepared proper round there,” Morey mentioned.
Embiid had meniscus surgical procedure on Feb. 6, 2024, days after Golden State ahead Jonathan Kuminga fell on the leg. The 2023 league MVP returned for the playoffs, although he by no means totally recovered.
He was dominated out for the season in late February after averaging 23.8 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Embiid had been hobbled by accidents all season, and served a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media.
Embiid has performed solely 58 regular-season video games and 7 play-in match/playoff video games since he earned NBA MVP honors within the 2022-23 season.
Like Edgecombe, Embiid in 2014 was additionally the No. 3 general decide of the draft.
Embiid has handled a number of accidents since even earlier than he entered the NBA. He suffered a stress fracture in his proper foot earlier than he was drafted out of Kansas that price him two years. From there, it was a bone bruise right here, a meniscus tear there. A busted orbital bone. A sprained shoulder. Tendinitis. Torn ligaments. Even Bell’s palsy.
Joel Embiid performed in simply 19 video games final season. (Picture by Justin Ford/Getty Pictures)
Embiid conceded he was depressed — and finally wanted remedy — to take care of the consequences of his accidents.
“It’s type of onerous once you get in these moments the place it’s type of onerous to not really feel dangerous about your self, particularly when you understand who you might be and what you possibly can accomplish nevertheless it’s not the way in which it’s,” Embiid mentioned in December. “One lesson that I discovered is to attempt to cease feeling dangerous about myself and simply reside day-to-day. Get pleasure from good folks round me, positivity and never concentrate on the negativity.”
Former All-Stars and Paul George and Tyrese Maxey additionally had injury-plagued seasons because the 76ers limped to a 24-58 report below coach Nick Nurse.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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