PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up to host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon, kicking off a back-to-back series. Currently sitting at the No. 9 seed, the Sixers are eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Detroit on Thursday.
A major boost for the team would be the return of their powerhouse, Joel Embiid. Although Embiid won't be suiting up against the Nets, head coach Nick Nurse provided some encouraging news on his progress.
"Yesterday, he was back on the court," Nurse shared. "Not with the team yet, but he had a solid individual workout. He's feeling better, and that's a positive step forward."
When asked about Embiid's recovery process, Nurse kept it straightforward. "It's the usual routine. He needs to feel a bit better, get some court time, and work on his conditioning."
Looking ahead, the Sixers will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, and it seems unlikely Embiid will make an appearance. The team then hits the road for a three-game trip starting with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, followed by matchups against the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz. There's hope that Embiid might rejoin the squad during this road stretch.
"I'm not making any promises, but there's a chance," Nurse hinted.
While Embiid is sidelined with a right oblique strain, there's a silver lining: his knees are getting some much-needed rest. Although Nurse hasn't discussed the knee situation directly with Embiid, he remains optimistic.
"He's been hitting the weight room a lot before yesterday’s session. I’d imagine his knees are in good shape," Nurse concluded.
As the Sixers aim to climb the standings, the potential return of Embiid could be the spark they need to make a strong push.