NBA Rumors: 76ers' Joel Embiid Won't 'Throw Caution to the Wind' Upon Injury Return

Joel Embiid's return will be a welcome one for the Philadelphia 76ers and their fans, and they can also take solace in knowing the reigning NBA MVP reportedly wouldn't be coming back if he weren't completely ready.

"From what I know about Embiid and his inner circle, he's not going to throw caution to the wind," ESPN's Zach Lowe said during a discussion with Tim MacMahon on The Lowe Post (8:30 mark). "He knows what his injury history is; he knows that he's a very large human being with a history of foot, knee, back, all of it. He's careful, and he should be careful. … If he's ready to come back this soon, that means his five-on-five scrimmages are going well."

Lowe's comments come after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Embiid was "nearing a return and expected to play this week" as he recovers from the left meniscus injury that has kept him sidelined since Jan. 30.

The return couldn't come soon enough for the 76ers, who were 26-8 when Embiid played prior to the setback.

They have struggled since and are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings at 40-35. They are also 2.5 games back of the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers, meaning they will likely find themselves in the play-in tournament at the end of the regular season.

But a Philadelphia team with a healthy Embiid playing alongside Tyrese Maxey is not the typical play-in tournament entrant.

The big man averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three-point range before the injury and could have been on his way to a second straight MVP.

Not only are the 76ers dangerous in the play-in tournament, they could also pose a threat to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks at the top of the Eastern Conference standings should they advance to the playoffs.

Injuries are always going to be a concern for Embiid, who missed his first two seasons in the league and is yet to play more than 68 games in a single season throughout his career, but it seems like he is coming back at the perfect time for the 76ers as they gear up for a potential playoff run.