With the Philadelphia 76ers’ season set to tip off on Wednesday, October 22, at TD Garden against the Boston Celtics, fans were treated to an encouraging sight over the weekend: Joel Embiid back in action for the first time since last February.
Fans may recall that Embiid was sidelined in February of last season after appearing in just 19 games before being ruled out for the remainder of the year with a lingering left knee injury and a foot sprain. He later underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April. Even before being shut down, it was clear that Embiid was far from his dominant form, averaging only 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, a sharp drop from his 2023 MVP campaign, when he posted 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Now, the two-time NBA scoring champion appears determined to put last season behind him and return to the dominant form Sixers fans have come to expect.
On Sunday, Embiid took the floor in Wilmington, Delaware, for the team’s annual Blue x White scrimmage. The event offered a clear sign that the 7-foot center is working his way back into the teams starting lineup. As Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice reported, “The mood in the building was somewhere between shock and amazement; Embiid has done live five-on-five work in practice but has not played a basketball game in public since February.” Aaronson added, “The results were largely encouraging based on how dire things were at this time a year ago.”
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse echoed that optimism, telling reporters after the scrimmage, “Today was a good progression day for him,” adding, “Lots of running, lots of five-on-five, lots of early practice stuff, lots of drill work, lots of five-on-zero, just lots of getting him caught up to speed. And then he went out there and did his thing: he shot the ball well, he scored well, he orchestrated the offense well. I thought he ran pretty good as well [in] both directions.”
While fans should remain measured in their expectations for an immediate return to MVP form, Sunday’s scrimmage marked a pivotal step in the right direction. It was also a reassuring sign for the franchise, which last offseason signed Embiid to a three-year, $193 million contract extension that keeps him in Philadelphia through the 2028–29 season.
The Sixers will play one final preseason matchup on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves before opening the regular season in Boston. Their home opener, “Opening Night,” is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, against the Charlotte Hornets.
Former Sixer and Hall of Famer turned commentator Charles Barkley believes the 76ers could emerge as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference if they stay healthy. “The East is up for grabs. I mean, it’s going to be crazy. I got no idea who’s going to win the East. I mean…the Sixers, if they could get healthy, they might be the best team in the East,” Barkley said in a recent interview.
Barkley’s point is hard to dispute. The Sixers’ success will largely hinge on their ability to stay healthy. Last season, Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers’ new “Big Three,” appeared in just 15 games together, a campaign that ended with a disappointing 24–58 record.
If the team can remain intact, Barkley may prove prescient. For now, seeing Embiid healthy and active again is reason enough for optimism and perhaps a collective sigh of relief across Philadelphia.
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