Nick Nurse hopeful of having Joel Embiid back before playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Six weeks ago, Joel Embiid had meniscus surgery that has kept him sidelined ever since. Nick Nurse said the Sixers superstar might return to action before the playoffs.

Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Credit AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Philadelphia 76erssuperstarJoel Embiid has been re-evaluated by doctors, who are 'happy with the progress' he's making following meniscus surgery on his left knee, the team's head coach Nick Nurse said Saturday.

Joel Embiid

Team:Philadelphia 76ersPosition:CAge:30Height:213 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Yaounde, CameroonProfileNewsStatistics

Despite the operation he underwent to address a displaced flap on February 5, Embiid emphasized feeling good, with no specific timeline for his comeback.

"It's the same mindset: if I feel good, I'm playing," Embiid stated.

The surgery typically involves a recovery period of three to six months.

"The goal is to try to get as healthy as possible and come back," the player said.

Asked if he believes that Embiid will be back with the team before the playoffs, Nurse said he's still hoping so and added that he remains 'pretty confident'.

"I think there’s always stages of how these things progress," Nurse said before the Sixers faced the Charlotte Hornets. "Everyone wants to know 'Well how long is it going to be?' And they give a wide range because of that, because everyone heals differently. We’re just trying to take it as it comes, get him healthy and get him back when he’s ready to go."

Embiid, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, has missed 21 games since tearing the meniscus against Golden State on January 30. In the time since, Philadelphia have fallen from third in the Eastern Conference to eighth, going 7-13 in the 20 games leading into Saturday.

Prior to his injury, Embiid had been a dominant force in the league, leading in scoring with an average of 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.

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