Joel Embiid Injury Update: Nick Nurse shares probable return timeline for 76ers star center
The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to have Joel Embiid return to play sooner rather than later. The star center is dealing with a left foot sprain, but Sixers head coach Nick Nurse doesn't believe it's a long-term issue.
"It's been aggravated, for sure," Nurse said on Friday. "That's why he's not playing. Again, he's day-to-day. He practiced yesterday. Hoping that maybe he'd be able to go today. Not quite ready. Hoping he can go for the next one."
The 76ers organization is optimistic about Embiid's return to the lineup. After missing three games in a row, the Sixers upgraded the former MVP's status to questionable ahead of their Sunday matchup vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
Joel Embiid has dealt with a string of health issues so far this season and has only suited up for 13 games. The middling 76ers have struggled to win in his absence and have a record of 8-15 with him out of the lineup.
Embiid last played on January 4 in a win against the Brooklyn Nets, where he scored 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 29 minutes of action. In the three games since, the 76ers have lost to the Phoenix Suns, beaten the Washington Wizards in a game that went down to the wire, and lost to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans.
The 76ers health issues this season go beyond Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid isn't the only Sixer who has struggled to get on the floor this season. Forward Paul George, who just inked a 4-year, $211,584,940 contract this past summer, has also dealt with a string of lagging issues primarily to do with his knee. In 25 games this season, the nine-time All-Star has averaged 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
Luckily for Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey has largely been available, having played in 30 of their 36 games. However, the big three of Maxey, Embiid, and George have only started in six games together this season.
Beyond just their star players like Joel Embiid, the 76ers lost their promising rookie Jared McCain, who tore his left meniscus on December 13 in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. After having surgery, the 76ers officially announced that he will be out for the remainder of the season on January 9.
McCain was in the midst of a captivating rookie campaign having had multiple 30 point games in November. In eight games as a starter, McCain averaged 23.8 points and 4.3 assists, while shooting 39.2% from 3 on over nine attempts per game. He led all rookies in points per game with 15.3 and jumped out as the early favorite for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The 76ers look better than they did to start the season, but they still have quite a hole to dig themselves out of. While they're 6-4 in their last 10 games, the Sixers are just 15-21 for the season and currently sit as the 11th seed in the East.