Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid starts for Philadelphia 76ers after long injury layoff

Philadelphia 76ers All-NBA center Joel Embiid returned to the court Tuesday night for the first time since Jan. 30.

Embiid, who had a corrective procedure to address a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee in early February, was upgraded from out to questionable before the game and was in the starting lineup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Embiid showed rust early in the contest, called for an offensive foul in the first two minutes. He grabbed an early steal but turned the ball over five seconds later. But at the 8:56 mark of the first quarter, Embiid scored his first basket in months, connecting on an 11-foot jump shot, as the Sixers limited his minutes in the opening frame.

Embiid finished with 24 points on 6-for-14 shooting in 29 minutes. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts but did go a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. He added in six rebounds and a team-high seven assists as the 76ers defeated the Thunder 109-105.

Asked by TNT how he felt after the game, Embiid replied frankly: "Not good. But I'm glad we got through it and we got the win."

The 2022-23 NBA MVP was in position to win his second consecutive MVP when the problematic left knee derailed his season. The Sixers were 29-17 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and just two games behind second-place Milwaukee when Embiid last played. Since then, the Sixers are 11-18 and dropped to eighth place.

The Sixers are headed for the play-in game where they will have two chances to win one game and reach the playoffs.

Embiid averages 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals and shoots 53.3% from the field and 36.6% on 3-pointers this season. Embiid is posting career highs in points and assists.

The Sixers’ success in the playoffs is incumbent on Embiid’s health, but the Sixers will manage his minutes in the remaining seven regular-season games.

Embiid told TNT that his injury "took a toll mentally."

"I just wanted to come back. I think we got a chance even the level that I'm at. And I'm only going to get better," Embiid said.

Because he won’t reach 65 games played, Embiid is ineligible for major awards, such as MVP and All-NBA.

Contributing: Jace Evans