Ten days after having already been questioned about the return to play of Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse this time is less vague and much more optimistic. To listen to him, we should see the reigning MVP again before the start of the play-in and/or the playoffs, two months after his injury (and his operation) to his left meniscus.
“ I think there is a very good chance that he will return before the play-in or the playoffs » simply declared the coach of Sixersbefore the reception of the Clippers this Wednesday.
Good news for Philadelphiaeven if this is not an officialization, while the franchise is currently ranked outside the Top 6 and will therefore undoubtedly have to go through a “play-in” of all dangers.
The time trial is on
Two and a half weeks before the end of the regular season, the Sixers can still avoid it, but a return of Joel Embiid, if possible at 100%, would certainly help them get out of this trap. Daryl Morey, their president, for his part, thought the title was possible with the All-Star pivot on his two legs…
“ I haven't seen him again. I spoke with him, we called each other on FaceTime a few times. As you know, he is on the ground, but we do not have a specific timetable for his return » then added Nick Nurse, in order to temper this announcement. “ I imagine he's progressing every day and it's just about making him stronger, more confident, fitter and in better physical condition. »
Before he was injured on January 30 against the Warriors, Joel Embiid was on his way to a second consecutive MVP title, posting nearly 35 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal on average, to guide Philadelphia to 5th place in the Eastern Conference (29-17). Since then, the team's record is 10 wins and 16 losses.
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 ★ | PHL | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| 2023-24 | PHL | 34 | 34 | 53.3 | 36.6 | 88.3 | 2.6 | 8.7 | 11.3 | 5.7 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 35.3 |
| Total | 428 | 32 | 50.4 | 33.9 | 82.5 | 2.3 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
