Joel Embiid on track for Philadelphia 76ers training camp return after injury-riddled season

Joel Embiid, the big man for the Philadelphia 76ers, is yet to return to the court after missing most of the 2024-25 campaign because of knee injuries. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, he has partially started his basketball activities.

He had a successful arthroscopic operation on his left knee on April 11 and was scheduled for a follow-up evaluation six weeks later. Daryl Morey later disclosed that the NBA player is "very engaged" in his rehabilitation efforts and that his recuperation is proceeding according to plan. Additionally, he is also reportedly expected to return around training camp.

Philadelphia 76ers optimistic Joel Embiid will be ready for training camp after knee rehab

Daryl Morey has further claimed that Joel Embiid is "on track" to be healthy for training camp, the start of the preseason, and the start of the regular season.

The Athletic has also learnt from league sources that he has yet to resume playing basketball on the court. Daryl Morey and the rest of the front office, including Tony Jones, pointed out, that they are "optimistic" about the star centre being ready for the start of the regular season. On the day of the 2025 NBA draft, he informed reporters that the player was "on track" to be ready when the Philadelphia 76ers' training camp began.

He has a history of injuries, and after playing in just 19 games in 2024-25, he had a knee injury that ruined his season. In February, the Philadelphia 76ers declared that he would miss the remainder of the season "to focus on treatment and rehabilitation."When healthy, the big man is among the league's greatest players, but after winning the 2022-2023 MVP, he has had difficulty staying on the court. He played in even fewer games last season after making only 39 appearances in 2023-24.

However, if he stays reasonably healthy and can produce more than he has in the previous two seasons, the team can then contend for the championship. If Joel Embiid's health returns to last year's level, the Philadelphia 76ers won't be able to contend for a title. Regardless of his current position, he is unquestionably one of the greatest offensive basketball players of this period and one of the greatest centers of all time. However, if he continues to miss large number of games throughout the regular season, this may be the only Philadelphia 76ers roster that can handle his absence.Also read: “I’m taking my time” – Kyrie Irving casts doubt on return with concerning injury update