There is optimism within the Philadelphia 76ers organization that superstar big man Joel Embiid can play against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, according to Shams Charania of Watch Stadium.
Embiid is dealing with left knee soreness. The two-time All-Star hasn't played since the All-Star break.
Our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania says there is some optimism Joel Embiid can return as soon as Sunday against Indiana. Here’s more. pic.twitter.com/GlUQyaG629
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 8, 2019
The Sixers have been playing it cautious with Joel Embiid since he's the franchise cornerstone and has an extensive injury history.
However, it looks like the star center has been making progress in his recovery and ramping up his workouts.
Embiid has 48 double-doubles and one triple-double on the season. He's averaging 27.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Sixers while shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line.
If Philly wants to go on a playoff run this year and win the Eastern Conference, they are going to need a fresh, healthy and engaged Joel Embiid. Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons and J.J. Redick can carry the offensive burden in the regular season, but the postseason is a whole different animal.
In the playoffs, the game slows down and usually the team who executes better in the half court wins. The Sixers are fortunate to have a dominant post up guy in Embiid.
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