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.
Embiid, who had been out all year while managing a knee injury, is set to serve a three-game suspension handed down after he shoved a reporter.
“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 said. “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 7-footer, a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA honoree, won league MVP honors in 2023. Last year, the Kentucky product 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, dished out 5.6 dimes, blocked 1.7 shots and swiped 1.2 steals a night.
Without Embiid, Philadelphia has won just one game and is 1-5 on the young season.