Sixers unsure whether Joel Embiid will be cleared for training camp
sixers-unsure-joel-embiid-training-camp-status
With training camp roughly six weeks away, the Philadelphia 76ers still do not know if star center Joel Embiid will be able to take part when sessions open next month.
Head coach Nick Nurse addressed Embiid’s recovery during an interview with Brian T. Smith of TalkSport on Tuesday at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Manchester, England. Nurse said updates have been encouraging but stopped short of guaranteeing the reigning MVP’s availability.
“I know he’s working very, very hard and I think things look good,” Nurse said. “Whether he’s ready for training camp or not, I think there’s maybe a lot more decisions than that to make before we get there. But our main thing is that he’s healthy to play and play to his nearest capabilities, because he’s awesome, no doubt about that.”
Embiid, 31, has battled left-knee problems since earning MVP honors in 2023. He appeared in 39 games in the 2023-24 season before undergoing meniscus surgery, then played only 19 contests last season before being shut down in February. Arthroscopic surgery followed in April.
Nurse’s comments are the first public update since president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said after the June draft that Embiid was tracking toward a return around the start of camp. Philadelphia plans to bring Embiid along slowly regardless of his clearance date.
“When he’s on the floor and any night he’s out there, we’ve got a chance to win, which is amazing,” Nurse added. “We just want to make sure and get him healthy and let him play for a longer period of time.”
The 76ers dropped to 24 wins last season after opening the year with championship expectations. Injuries ravaged the roster: Paul George played 41 games, Tyrese Maxey 52, and Philadelphia used an NBA-high 40 players while searching for healthy lineups.
Nurse called 2024-25 “a really unfortunate season” but expressed optimism that improved health and the arrival of No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe can push the club back into contention.
Source: Hoops Rumors
