Embiid plans to return this season, regardless of Sixers' record - ESPN

CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid spoke to the media Thursday afternoon for the first time since he suffered a knee injury a month ago, and said he hopes he will be able to return sometime before the regular season is over.

«That's the plan,» Embiid said after Philadelphia practiced Thursday ahead of a game at home against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. «Obviously everything has to go right, as far as getting healthy and being as close as I'm supposed to be. But yeah, that's the plan.»

Embiid, 29, was in the midst of a historic season when Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on his left leg during a scramble for a loose ball in Philadelphia's 119-107 loss to the Warriors in San Francisco on Jan. 30, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game this season.

The team announced on Feb. 6 that Embiid had undergone a procedure «to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee» and that he would be reevaluated in four weeks, which is next Tuesday. Embiid said there is no timeline for his return, but that he continues to feel good about his rehab.

Embiid said he ultimately chose to have the procedure done after meeting with five different specialists, and that he still plans to play for Team USA in the Paris Olympics this summer, health permitting.

«I think when you look at what unfolded and what we saw, there was only one decision, and it was to go the route that I did,» Embiid said.

The NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player, Embiid was on pace to average more points than minutes played when he got hurt — something only Wilt Chamberlain, during the 1962-63 season, has ever done.

Embiid had a streak of 16 consecutive games of 30 points and