76ers vs. Thunder: A Positive Sign Regarding Joel Embiid's Status

After missing Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Joel Embiid could return to face the Thunder on Saturday night.

The Philadelphia 76ers returned home for the holidays in the middle of a two-game road trip. On Wednesday night, the Sixers battled it out with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the start of the trip. After being back in Philly for Thanksgiving, the team hit the road to Oklahoma City on Friday afternoon, as they are set to visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

According to the team’s official X account, Joel Embiid is on the trip, which is a great sign for his playing status this weekend.

Lately, Embiid’s been popping up on the Sixers’ injury report. Dating back to the team’s January 14 matchup against the Indiana Pacers, Embiid was questionable with hip soreness ahead of the In-Season Tournament matchup. Although he considered a night off, Embiid checked in for 37 minutes in the six-point loss to the Pacers.

For the next two games, Embiid remained a game-time decision. Both times, the big man was cleared for action. When the Sixers paid a visit to the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday, Embiid was left off the injury report. He checked in for 31 minutes in the 22-point blowout victory.

Then, on Tuesday, Embiid started up the team’s back-to-back set left off the injury report. After checking in for a season-high 41 minutes in the overtime loss against the Cavs, Embiid expressed uncertainty about playing against the Timberwolves the following night. Citing that he was still banged up with hip soreness, Embiid left the door open for a possible night off.

Sure enough, that was the case. The Sixers ruled Embiid out for the first time this season on Wednesday. In his absence, the Sixers fell short against the Timberwolves with a 13-point loss.

Embiid’s official status for Saturday’s game in OKC is unclear. The fact that he made the trip is a good sign that he’s trending in the right direction. With three days off for the big man between Tuesday and Saturday, Embiid’s recovery period might’ve been just what he needed as the Sixers look to close out November on a high note.