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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Philadelphia 76ers fans rejoice as Joel Embiid returns to action, providing a significant boost to the team. Embiid, previously a frontrunner for the MVP title, sustained a meniscus tear in January in a game with the Warriors. Across 34 regular-season games, he maintained impressive averages of 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Following Embiid’s absence, the Sixers have faced challenges in maintaining a steady stream of victories. With just 13 wins in 40 games without Embiid, Philly has surrendered their previously secure playoff position.

In February, the 7ft centre went through a surgery to fix his knee injury after which the timeline for his return was four weeks. Embiid ended up missing 40 games. But now, head coach Kick Nurse said, “I think there’s a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff.”

Currently, Philly hold the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, with fewer than 10 regular-season games left. So, when the video of him practicing captioned “embiid work” was posted on X, fans very rightly went ballistic.

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Now the only thing left for Embiid to do is pick-up where he left off. However, many may have doubts about his imapct on court after the surgery, but the concerns among fans seem to be entirely different. The prevailing belief among fans is that the reigning MVP will be ready for the playoffs, which would significantly bolster the Sixers’ postseason aspirations.

Joel Embiid pumping some hope to Philly Fandom

The comments section of the X post was more like a prayer hall with fans chanting for Embiid’s return. One fan wrote, “The league is in trouble now.

While another fan had a whole theory stating, “it’s gonna be so funny if the missing piece for the sixers ends up being to have joel embiid’s usual season derailing injury happen early enough for him to return fully healthy and rested for the playoffs.”

One user hopefully wrote, “Generational Finals Run”. 

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Among the cheering voices, a naysayer said, “ik u boutta have excuses for embiid in the playoffs he gonna be 31 next szn.”

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