76ers C Joel Embiid (knee) expected to return this week

Field Level Media|published: 04/01/2024, 10:47am EDT

Mar 1, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid smiles after a victory against the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is expected to return this week from a left knee injury sustained in late January, ESPN reported Monday.

The 76ers next play Tuesday night against Oklahoma City. His status for that home game will be announced later Monday, per the report. The 76ers (40-35) have seven games remaining and have fallen to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Embiid, 30, has been sidelined since a collision with Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga on Jan. 30. He underwent a procedure to fix the damage to his meniscus on Feb. 6.

The 76ers own a 26-8 record with Embiid on the floor this season. They are 11-18 without Embiid since the injury.

Embiid is the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player. His average of 35.3 points per game this season would lead the league if he had played enough games to qualify, and his rate of 11.3 rebounds per contest would rank among the top 10.

—Field Level Media