Joel Embiid made an impressive return to the court after missing a month due to knee and foot issues, recording a 29-point triple-double in a 118-116 win against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite his stellar performance, Embiid admitted that dealing with his ongoing injuries has been "extremely" frustrating, as they continue to hinder his recovery process.
He expressed hope that the problems might finally be behind him but acknowledged the unpredictability of his condition.
The 76ers star had missed 15 games after a combination of a foot sprain and knee swelling kept him sidelined. Leading up to Tuesday's game, Embiid had been working toward a return, participating in pregame workouts, though he had never been cleared to play until the day of the game.
His performance was a significant boost for Philadelphia, and coach Nick Nurse praised Embiid's impact, even as he noted that some moments during the game were "clunky."
This game marked Embiid's first at Wells Fargo Center since December, and it was only his fifth home game of the season. The 76ers have struggled with injuries, with Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey rarely playing together.
Despite this, Embiid remains confident in the team's potential if they can stay healthy and consistent. He expressed pride in his teammates for fighting through injuries, especially in his absence, and emphasized the importance of staying healthy to achieve their goals.
Looking ahead, the 76ers face challenges in the Eastern Conference, sitting just one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot. However, Embiid's return and the potential return of other players like Paul George could provide the team with the boost they need.
Maxey believes that the team has the talent, discipline, and experience to make a playoff run if they can continue to build and improve. All eyes will be on how Embiid's knee responds after playing a full game for the first time in weeks.
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