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Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse revealed that star center Joel Embiid was away from the team on Thursday to undergo a “scheduled” examination of his knee.
“He’s not here,” Nurse said, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s at a scheduled assessment of his knee. That was always on the schedule. We are still waiting for what’s next.”
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid was not with the Sixers for Thursday’s practice ahead of Friday’s exhibition game with Minnesota at the Wells Fargo Arena. Coach Nick Nurse was asked if Embiid will join the team at any point of this road trip? They face Boston (Sat.) and ATL (Mon). pic.twitter.com/MA2S0SA1RP
Embiid appeared in just 39 regular-season games during the 2023-24 season, as he missed multiple months after undergoing surgery to address a meniscus injury in his left knee.
He was able to return just before the start of the playoffs and averaged 33.0 points in 41.3 minutes per game during Philadelphia’s first-round loss to the New York Knicks. He briefly appeared to hurt the same knee and left the court in Game 1 of the series, although he was able to return before the contest was over.
Embiid also suited up in the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping the U.S. men’s national team win gold. He recorded 23 points in 38 combined minutes over Team USA’s final two contests, which included a 19-point performance in a comeback win over Serbia in the semifinal round.
The 2022-23 MVP is expected to be out for the 76ers’ next preseason game, as he didn’t travel with the team for their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday (per Tony Jones of The Athletic).
His absences shouldn’t cause too much concern until the start of the regular season draws closer, as ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported on Sept. 30 that Philadelphia is planning on slowly ramping up his activity level throughout training camp.
With Tyrese Maxey and offseason addition Paul George alongside Embiid, the 76ers are expected to compete with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The seven-time All-Star is continuing to have his left knee monitored ahead of Philadelphia’s regular-season debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23.
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