Joel Embiid Returns, Then Sits Again: Sixers Tread Carefully With Their Star Big Man
After nearly a month on the sidelines, Joel Embiid made his long-awaited return to the floor over the weekend in a double-overtime thriller against the Atlanta Hawks. The reigning MVP logged 30 minutes in the 76ers’ 142-134 loss, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. It wasn’t a vintage Embiid performance, but for Philadelphia, just seeing their franchise cornerstone back in uniform was a welcome sight.
But the return was short-lived.
The Sixers have officially ruled Embiid out for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, citing right knee injury recovery. And while it’s not part of a back-to-back, the team is clearly opting for caution.
That decision might raise some eyebrows, especially given the opponent. The Wizards are struggling mightily, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 3-16 record.
On paper, this is a game the Sixers should be able to handle without their superstar center. But it also speaks to a larger issue that’s been hanging over Philly’s season like a low cloud: Embiid’s availability.
This is now the second extended absence for Embiid this season, and he’s played in just seven games total. The numbers reflect that limited time-he’s averaging career lows in both points (19.4) and rebounds (5.3) per game. For a player who’s made dominance look effortless in recent years, these stats are a clear sign that he’s still working his way back to full strength.
After the loss to Atlanta, Embiid spoke candidly about the frustration of not being able to suit up consistently.
“The only thing I’ll say is, I do feel bad, but it's unfortunate,” Embiid said. “You can only control what you can control. If anybody thinks that I don't want to play every game, that's their problem, but I think history has shown that I would do anything just to play one game of basketball.”
That’s the thing with Embiid-when he’s on the floor, there are few players in the league who can tilt the game quite like him. But staying on the floor has been the challenge, and that puts head coach Nick Nurse and the rest of the roster in a tough spot. Game-to-game uncertainty around your best player isn't just a logistical headache-it affects rotations, chemistry, and game planning.
Still, the Sixers are playing the long game here. It’s December, not April.
And if Embiid’s knee needs more time to get right, better now than during a playoff push. The Sixers have enough depth to get through a night against the Wizards, but the bigger question is how often they’ll have their MVP-caliber big man available as the season grinds on.
For now, Embiid’s status remains a day-to-day watch. And for Philly, that means continuing to walk the tightrope between managing his health and staying competitive in a loaded Eastern Conference.