There was some doubt as to whether 76ers star Joel Embiid would be ready to return for Tuesday night's game against the Thunder, but reports shortly ahead of tip-off revealed that the reigning MVP would suit up for the first time since January.
The Thunder likely wish he delayed his return just one more game.
Embiid impressed despite natural concerns about effectiveness any time a player returns from an extended absence, and his efforts powered a comeback victory for a 76ers team fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.
A regular season return gives Embiid about two weeks to ramp up before the playoffs, but he proved Tuesday that he isn't simply taking it easy just because the playoffs haven't started. Philadelphia currently holds the No. 8 seed in the East and can realistically move up to No. 7 or even out of a play-in spot altogether if results fall their way over the next week-plus. Embiid's return was one step closer to that goal.
Here's a closer look at Embiid's performance in the 76ers' win over Oklahoma City.
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Joel Embiid stats vs. Thunder
Embiid finished with 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in the 76ers' victory, hitting crucial free throws as Philadelphia outscored the Thunder by 11 points in the fourth quarter.
While 24 points is pretty tame for Embiid, who was averaging more than 35 points per game when he went down with a torn meniscus in January, the performance was encouraging for a player who missed more than two months of action and played just 29 minutes, down from his season average of 29.
Coach Nick Nurse didn't say whether Embiid would be on a minutes restriction against the Thunder, but the reigning MVP did play fewer minutes than Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre.
Still, Embiid was on the floor in crunch time. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) and Jalen Williams (ankle) sitting out, the 76ers trailed by eight with under five minutes remaining, only to outscore the Thunder 19-7 the rest of the way. Embiid scored eight of Philadelphia's final 14 points, six of which came on free throws, and he kept momentum on the 76ers' side when he came up with a steal to prevent the Thunder from getting a chance to take back the lead.
Embiid with the clutch steal and gets to the line 💪
— NBA (@NBA) April 3, 2024
PHI leads 108-105 after the FTs... 25 seconds left on TNT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TNzMoxjwY8
Embiid was perfect from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, making all eight attempts.
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The 76ers play four of their final six games against sub-.500 teams, including matchups with the Spurs and Pistons. Their top priority is keeping Embiid healthy ahead of the playoffs, which figures to put his availability in doubt for one game of their upcoming back-to-back, but a jump to the No. 7 seed or even the No. 6 seed would be meaningful if Philadelphia can string together wins.
As of Tuesday night, the 76ers would have to head to Miami to face the Heat in a play-in game and would then host a win-and-in game if they lost. The 76ers would host the No. 8 seed if they moved up one spot and avoid the play-in altogether if they managed to move up to the No. 6 seed. Philadelphia is currently two games behind Indiana for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the East.
