With training camp about six weeks away, the Sixers aren’t certain if Joel Embiid will be ready to participate. Head coach Nick Nurse discussed the health status of his star center and the team’s misfortunes from last season in an interview with Brian T. Smith of TalkSport.
Speaking Tuesday at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Manchester, England, Nurse said he’s “not sure” if Embiid will be cleared to participate when camp begins next month. However, he added an encouraging spin by saying “all the news is positive” so far.
“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 hasn’t come close to playing a full season since winning MVP honors in 2023. He was limited to 39 games in 2023/24 before having meniscus surgery on his left knee and appeared in just 19 games last season before being shut down in February due to lingering concerns about the knee. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in April.
Nurse’s comments represent the first health update on Embiid since president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said following the draft that he was on track for recovery “right around” the start of camp. Regardless of the condition of his knee by then, the Sixers will be cautious with Embiid and try to gradually prepare him for the season opener.
“When he’s on the floor and any night he’s out there, we’ve got a chance to win, which is amazing,” Nurse said. “We just want to make sure and get him healthy and let him play for a longer period of time.”
Philadelphia plummeted without Embiid available, winning just 24 games after being viewed as a potential title contender when the season began. In addition to Embiid’s injury woes, the team got just 41 games out of Paul George and 52 from Tyrese Maxey. Injuries affected the Sixers throughout their roster, and they spent the last few weeks of the season using a makeshift lineup as losses piled up.
Nurse called it “a really unfortunate season,” but there’s renewed optimism related to better health for the team’s star players and the addition of VJ Edgecombe with the third pick in this year’s draft.
“It was almost four, five, six guys every night,” Nurse said of last season’s injuries. “We just never could get any continuity. We used an incredible 40 different players last year. So let’s put that in the rear-view mirror a little bit. Listen, those guys get healthy. They’re great players, and we get some better health this year. We’ll be right back in the mix and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Here we go again
What a great handle / forum name.
I’m looking forward to seeing the backcourt this year – Maxey, McCain, Edgecomb, and (eventually) Grimes. But I pity Sixers fans for having to endure another season of Embiid/George question marks.
Honestly, I’m going into Sixers seasons now just happy for our core of Maxey, McCain and Edgecomb. If Embiid and George play, fantastic, now we’re a contender without making any moves. Otherwise, I see us as basically rebuilding a pre-build if you will.
Embiid and George don’t make anyone a contender is the problem, unless your looking through the lense of the Wayback machine.
Way back to what? Second round exits?
If Joel and PG are healthy and we get 50 games from each I will be happy Dynamite, not so sure about the rest of the league .
“all the news is positive” so far.
Yeah, all the news is always positive with Embiid, until it isn’t.
Don’t worry sixers will just keep him fresh for the playoffs like they did last year…OH WAIT
What a complete joke. Total s**tshow. I’m done with the whole organization until Harris sells and there is real change. It’s been on repeat for years. I feel bad for Maxey.
don’t be like that jc. ya gotta truth the process man.
I don’t think this team can count on Embid or George anymore so the Sixers are stuck in limbo until these albatross contracts end.
Three more years of PG and four of Embiid… lolol
lolz
Oh I think they are sure what his status is just like the rest of us
I was trading Embiid years ago, got laughed at. Signing PG didn’t help the situation….that was plan old dumb and squarely on the shoulders of Morey. This Embiid loser has this Boston fan feeling sorry for Philly. Bit far out to be pulling a Milwaukee on Embiid isn’t it? Got some promising young guys and this is their leader to look upto, wow.
Who isn’t sure about Embiids status ……
I’m totally down for another rigged top three draft pick.
“”You get a max contract! You get a max contract! Everybody gets a max contract!”
– Daryl Morey
Trust the process 😂🤣