There were some doubts about whether 76ers star Joel Embiid would be ready to return for Tuesday night’s game against the Thunder, but reports shortly before kickoff revealed that the reigning MVP would suit up for the first time since January.
The Thunder probably wish they had delayed his return just one more game.
Embiid impressed despite natural concerns about effectiveness whenever a player returns from an extended absence, and his efforts fueled a comeback victory for a 76ers team struggling to avoid the play-in tournament.
A return to the regular season gives Embiid about two weeks to improve before the playoffs, but on Tuesday he showed that he’s not taking it easy simply because the playoffs haven’t started yet. Philadelphia is currently ranked No. 8 in the East and can realistically move up to No. 7 or even drop out of the entry spot entirely if results falter over the next week. Embiid’s return was one more step toward that goal.
Here’s a closer look at Embiid’s performance in the 76ers’ win over Oklahoma City.
Joel Embiid vs. Thunder Stats
Embiid finished with 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the 76ers’ victory, making crucial free throws as Philadelphia outscored the Thunder by 11 points in the fourth quarter.
While 24 points is fairly modest for Embiid, who was averaging more than 35 points per game when he suffered a torn meniscus in January, the performance was encouraging for a player who missed more than two months of action and played just 29 minutes. below his season average of 29.
Coach Nick Nurse did not say whether Embiid would be on a minutes restriction against the Thunder, but the reigning MVP did play fewer minutes than Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre.
Still, Embiid was on the court in the decisive moment. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) and Jalen Williams (ankle) not playing, the 76ers trailed by eight with less than five minutes remaining, only to outscore the Thunder 19-7 the rest of the game. Embiid scored eight of Philadelphia’s final 14 points, six of which were free throws, and he kept the momentum on the 76ers’ side when he came up with a steal to prevent the Thunder from having a chance to regain the lead.
Embiid with the clutch steals and reaches the line ?
PHI leads 108-105 after FTs… 25 seconds left on TNT ? pic.twitter.com/TNzMoxjwY8
—NBA (@NBA) April 3, 2024
Embiid was perfect from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, making all eight attempts.
The 76ers play four of their last six games against teams below .500, including matchups with the Spurs and Pistons. Their top priority is keeping Embiid healthy heading into the playoffs, which puts his availability for one game in their next back-to-back into doubt, but a jump to the No. 7 or even No. 6 spot would be significant if Philadelphia can pull off wins.
Starting Tuesday night, the 76ers would have to head to Miami to face the Heat in a play-in game and then host a win-win if they lose. The 76ers would receive the No. 8 seed if they moved up one spot and would avoid the play-in entirely if they managed to move up to the No. 6 seed. Philadelphia is currently two games behind Indiana for the last guaranteed playoff spot in the East.
