The Philadelphia 76ers are finally getting center Joel Embiid back in the lineup following a tumultuous start to the 2024-25 NBA season. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that Embiid will be available to play next week in their first regular-season game against the New York Knicks.
Charania reported that Embiid will be available for the Sixers on Tuesday following his three-game suspension. The 2023 NBA MVP will serve a three-game suspension following his altercation with Philadelphia columnist Marcus Hayes. The insider stated that the All-Star would start his suspension against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Apr 28, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid before game four against the New York Knicks in the first round in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsEmbiid has not played a single game this season due to his injury management concerning his left knee.
“Joel Embiid is ready,” Charania said. “Sources tell me he will make his season debut next Tuesday at home against the Knicks in the Sixers’ NBA Cup opener. He’ll serve his three-game suspension tonight against the Clippers, Friday against the Lakers, Sunday at home against the Hornets. And then attention can finally be on basketball for Embiid.”
“We know how great he is when he’s on the court. Former league MVP. Nick Nurse said it the other day, they need him to re-focus everything about this season on the court and to play the game of basketball. You think about his first two weeks of his NBA season. He has a technical foul and he is a part in two investigations with the NBA in his playing status… getting back on the court is of the ultimate importance, they need him desperately.”
He’s back: Reporting for NBA Countdown on 76ers’ All-NBA star Joel Embiid set to make his season debut on Tuesday vs. the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/V7uBP7mQ6h
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 7, 2024
Last season, Embiid was only available for 39 games due to a left lateral meniscus injury. During the games he was active, he averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists. The last time the big man was on the court was during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won the gold medal with Team USA.
Joel Embiid has had a tumultuous start to the season
Joel Embiid has not played a single game for the Sixers, yet he’s the center of attention in Philly. At the start of the season, the NBA initiated an investigation regarding his injury status. The organization was later fined $100k for “inconsistencies” in Embiid’s injury.
The seven-time All-Star became part of another investigation after he confronted Hayes. Embiid wasn’t a fan of what the columnist wrote about him, involving his family. The encounter between the two escalated, leading the Sixers center to push the media member.
Philly requires Embiid’s service as soon as possible as they have fallen to a 1-5 record.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
