Joel Embiid is starting to look like that guy again - the MVP force who can tilt the floor every time he steps on it. And Thursday night’s overtime win over the Rockets was the clearest sign yet that he’s rounding back into dominant form.
Embiid logged a whopping 46 minutes - his heaviest regular-season workload in over three years - and didn’t just survive the grind, he thrived in it. He dropped a 32-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, and the Sixers were a staggering +21 with him on the floor in their 128-122 win. That’s not just big numbers - that’s game-changing impact.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called it a meaningful step, and it’s hard to argue. Embiid’s dealt with his share of knee issues in recent seasons, and early this year, he didn’t quite look like himself. The movement was a little off, the rhythm wasn’t quite there, and the explosiveness that defines his game seemed dialed down.
But over his last 15 games? He’s averaging 28.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists - numbers that scream MVP-caliber production. More importantly, the eye test backs it up: he’s moving better, playing with confidence, and asserting himself on both ends of the floor.
Paul George, who knows a thing or two about battling back from injuries, took notice. “He’s starting to feel it, he’s getting better and that competitive juice and everything is starting to flow,” George said. “You see it even with him at practice... he was starting to form back into the Joel Embiid that we all have seen him dominate in this league.”
That kind of praise isn’t just lip service. It’s a nod from one elite player to another who’s clawing his way back to peak form.
George also touched on the emotional grind of coming back from injury - something every athlete understands but few talk about. “It’s definitely refreshing just from a personal level,” he added.
“It’s just always great to see someone start to get back to themselves.”
For the Sixers, this version of Embiid changes everything. They’re still managing his minutes and keeping a close eye on the long-term picture, but when he’s playing like this, the ceiling shifts dramatically. A healthy Embiid isn’t just a boost - he’s a game plan wrecker, a matchup nightmare, and the kind of player who can carry a team deep into the postseason.
If this is the version of Embiid Philly is getting heading into the second half of the season, the rest of the East should take notice. The big man is back - and he’s starting to look dangerous.