Joel Embiid might make a comeback to take on the Thunder on Saturday night after missing the game on Wednesday in Minnesota.
In the middle of a two-game road trip, the Philadelphia 76ers made their holiday return home. The Sixers and Minnesota Timberwolves squared off on Wednesday night to begin the trip. The team left for Oklahoma City on Friday afternoon in preparation for their Saturday visitation against the Oklahoma City Thunder, having returned to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving.
Joel Embiid is traveling, per the team’s official X account, which bodes well for his availability this weekend.
Embiid has been showing up on the Sixers’ injury report lately. Prior to the team’s In-Season Tournament matchup, Embiid was doubtful due to hip soreness, which dates back to the team’s game on January 14 against the Indiana Pacers. Despite thinking he should take the night off, Embiid played 37 minutes in the Pacers’ six-point defeat.
Embiid was a game-time decision for the next two games. The big man was cleared to go both times. Last Sunday, during the Sixers’ visit to the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid was not listed as injured. In the 22-point blowout victory, he played for thirty-one minutes.
Embiid then began the team’s back-to-back set on Tuesday, omitted from the injury report. Embiid voiced doubts about playing against the Timberwolves the next night after playing a season-high 41 minutes in the overtime loss to the Cavaliers. Embiid hinted that he might take a night off, citing that he was still dealing with hip pain.
Indeed, that was the situation. On Wednesday, Embiid was declared out for the first time this season by the Sixers. The Sixers suffered a 13-point defeat to the Timberwolves while he was out.
The official status of Embiid for Saturday’s game in Oklahoma City is unknown. He’s headed in the right direction based on the fact that he made the trip. The big man had three days off between Tuesday and Saturday, which may have been exactly what Embiid needed to recuperate as the Sixers try to finish November strong.