Woj: 76ers' Joel Embiid Could Return from COVID-19 as Early as Saturday vs. T-Wolves
Joel Embiid has missed the Philadelphia 76ers' last eight games after testing positive for COVID-19, but he reportedly could be back on the court as early as Saturday for the team's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"There's optimism that Joel Embiid can be back on this upcoming homestand in Philadelphia," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Tuesday on NBA Today (1:30 mark). "They play Saturday, they play Monday, and there's optimism it could be as soon as Saturday."
The Sixers have had a wild start to the 2021-22 season.
Embiid has missed half of the team's games. Ben Simmons hasn't appeared at all as his stand-off with the Sixers and desire to be traded lingers well into the season. Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe have missed seven games each, also due to the NBA's coronavirus health and safety protocols.
And somehow, through it all, the Sixers have managed to go 10-8 and avoid outright disaster.
One reason has been the performance of second-year guard Tyrese Maxey, thrust into the starting lineup at point guard in the absence of Simmons. He's responded by averaging 18.7 points and 4.6 assists per game and looks like a true future building block for the Sixers.
But the Sixers bench has stepped up in a big way too. Players like George Niang (11.8 PPG, 39 percent from three) and Furkan Korkmaz (10.3 PPG, 3.9 APG) have been revelations. Andre Drummond (7.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.3 APG) has exceeded all expectations. Seth Curry's three-point shooting (43.5 percent) has cooled off a little, but he remains one of the league's elite sharpshooters.
Despite the team treading water and getting healthy again, though, the return of Embiid is still paramount. The superstar center finished as the runner-up in the MVP voting last year after averaging 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and a steal per game. He also shot 37.7 percent from three.
Embiid is the best two-way center in the NBA, leading the Sixers in scoring and serving as the team's defensive keystone in the paint. With him this year, the Sixers are 7-2. Without him, just 3-6.
Whether Simmons eventually returns to the team or is traded for another star, the Sixers will only go as far as Embiid can take him this season.
