NBA Injury Report: Is Joel Embiid Returning Tonight vs Rockets? Update on 76ers’ Reining MVP’s Comeback

After losing to the Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers posted a win against the Sacramento Kings. The team will face the Houston Rockets who lost to the Celtics with a massive 145-113 after a victory against the Pistons. The team will try to bounce back as they meet the 76ers. The two teams shall lock horns at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The 76ers occupy a 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference with 24 wins and 13 losses. The absence of Joel Embiid has been a worry for the team for some time and his availability will matter for the team’s hopes.

Joel Embiid set to play against the Rockets

The reigning MVP has been suffering from a nagging knee injury for some time. He missed the last three games but will join today after making a healthy return. Embiid had a great start to the season and appeared in all first fourteen games. Later he missed four games at a stretch in December due to an ankle injury. He returned to play two consecutive games and suffered swelling in the left knee.

Embiid has played for 8 seasons and has a decent average of 27.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his 421 regular season games. This season, Embiid averages a massive 34.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. All these figures point towards his contention for another MVP. However, his absence due to injuries could put a dent in it.

The prolonged absence could be a concern for MVP Embiid

After the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed the player participation policy, it could be difficult for Embiid to be MVP again. Adam commented that the policy aimed to drive home the fact that the NBA is an 82-game league. To encourage player participation, players are to have 65 game appearances to be eligible for the NBA honors. The awards include MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All NBA team, and All-Defensive Team.

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Embiid has missed 10 of the 37 games so far. Even though he is a favorite to win the MVP award again, going to the 65-game appearance mark seems difficult for the star. To ensure he meets the threshold, Embiid has to maintain peak health and miss fewer games as we progress into the season. Will he be able to do it? Let us know in the comments.

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