Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has missed his team's last eight games with a right oblique strain. With the 76ers battling for a playoff position, head coach Nick Nurse said the star big man participated in individual on-court workouts on Friday. He said Embiid could return during Philadelphia's three-game road trip next week.
"He came out yesterday. Obviously not with the team, but he came out for an individual workout. He's feeling a little better," Nurse said Saturday before Philadelphia's 104-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I don't want to anticipate anything, but I think there's a possibility [him returning on our upcoming road trip]. Hopefully, he can.”
The 76ers are struggling to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament amid injuries to Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre and suspensions for Paul George.
Joel Embiid nears return from long absence for playoff hopeful 76ers
Philadelphia is 3-5 during Embiid's latest absence. Meanwhile, Maxi is expected to be out for at least three weeks with a tendon injury in his right pinky. Oubre will be out for at least two weeks with a left elbow sprain, while George is eligible to return from his suspension on March 25.
The 76ers' recent cold snap has dropped them to eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They are two games behind the sixth-place Miami Heat, 1.5 games behind the seventh-place Toronto Raptors and half a game behind the ninth-place Atlanta Hawks.
Embiid has appeared in only 33 games this season while battling knee, ankle, calf and oblique injuries. The former MVP is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists on .495/.318/.858 shooting splits.
Philadelphia is 21-12 in games Embiid has played and 15-19 in games he has missed.
