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76ers center Joel Embiid on returning this season: 'If I feel good, I'm playing'

rhiannon walker
Contributing writer
·1 min read
10

If Joel Embiid is healthy, then he plans to play, he told reporters on Thursday.

The Philadelphia 76ers center was at the team's practice facility and expressed his desire to come back late in the regular season, if his recovery allows for it.

"It's the same mindset: If I feel good, I'm playing," he said.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid speaks with members of the media at the NBA basketball team's practice facility, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Camden, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid told media members that if he's good, then he'll return to play this season. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia has gone 4-8 since Embiid injured the meniscus in his left knee against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 30. He had a procedure in early February to correct the injury, and at that time, the expectation was that he'd be evaluated in a month.

Embiid declined to provide any further update on his recovery timeline.

Prior to the injury, Embiid was a favorite for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, which he won last season. He was averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 37 games.

But due to the NBA's new 65-game threshold, Embiid isn't eligible to defend his MVP title.

The 76ers (33-25) are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference.