Joel Embiid is targeting the 76ers’ first game after the All-Star break for his return from a knee injury.
Embiid has been out since Jan. 27 with a knee injury. An MRI revealed that he has a minor tear in his meniscus, which is unlikely to need surgery. He will not be participating in All-Star Game action this weekend, but he did say Friday in New Orleans that he’s hoping to play after the break.
“I’m hoping to be back after the All-Star break,” Embiid said Friday via the Philly Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. “Probably, if practices go well and I don’t get any swelling or soreness.”
He said he has experienced some swelling here and there, which sets back his recovery.
“It swells up a little and I take a day off, and it swells up a little.”
Embiid has missed the last 11 games for the 76ers and 14 of the team’s past 15 contests. Philly is 21-35 on the season and 5.5 games out of the playoffs.
If Embiid returns for the team’s next game on Friday against the Wizards, they would have a much better shot at reaching the postseason given the way he’s played.
