Joel Embiid Returns to Sixers Practice to Prepare for Miami Heat

Joel Embiid was present for the Philadelphia 76ers' Monday practice.

Feb 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As they prepare for the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t taking any time off between their regular season finale against the Brooklyn Nets and their Wednesday night matchup against the Miami Heat.

For Wednesday’s game, the Sixers hope to see the return of their star center, Joel Embiid. Since battling back from a meniscus injury, which required surgery in February, Embiid has missed two matchups. The finale on Sunday was one of them.

Heading into the game, Embiid was listed as questionable on the injury report, which has been a trend throughout the month. While his presence was expected, considering Sunday’s game posed as a must-win for Philadelphia, the Sixers were cautious.

Embiid was ruled out against Brooklyn. It turned out to be the right move, as the Sixers found a way to win without the seven-time All-Star. Although the Sixers were confident Embiid would be ready for Wednesday’s game against Miami, nobody outside of the organization could be so sure.

On Monday, the Sixers returned to practice to begin preparing for the Play-In. Embiid was a participant in the session, according to the head coach, Nick Nurse.

While participating in practice doesn’t guarantee clearance for Wednesday’s game, it’s a major step in the right direction towards returning.

Since Embiid returned to the Sixers two weeks ago, the team has gone undefeated. While Embiid missed two of the Sixers’ last seven games, Philly closed out the regular season red-hot and on an eight-game win streak.

On a personal note, Embiid quickly returned to his dominant ways. By draining 50 percent of his shots, the big man averaged 30 points throughout his final five-game stretch. He also produced nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block per game.

The Sixers will practice once more on Tuesday before they host the Heat on Wednesday. If all goes as expected, Embiid will be back in action as the team prepares to fight for the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed.