Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player, made a much-anticipated return to the court on Tuesday night as the Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Dallas Mavericks. Embiid had been sidelined since January 4th, following a victory over the Brooklyn Nets, due to knee swelling and a foot sprain. The 7-foot center missed a total of 15 games, during which the 76ers struggled to maintain their standing in the Eastern Conference.
Prior to his injury, Embiid averaged an impressive 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds over 13 games this season, solidifying his status as a crucial player for the team. His return comes at a pivotal moment, with the 76ers trailing one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the last play-in spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The team's coach, Nick Nurse, confirmed that there would be no hard cap on Embiid's minutes during Tuesday night's game, with a realistic expectation of around 30 minutes of playing time.
The game against the Mavericks also coincided with a significant trade between Philadelphia and Dallas involving Quentin Grimes and Caleb Martin. However, both players will not be participating in Tuesday's game. Embiid's performance will be closely monitored to assess his comfort and readiness as he re-integrates into competitive play.
In a related development, Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers is currently out with an abdominal strain sustained in Philadelphia. Davis is expected to make his return either on Thursday against the Boston Celtics or Saturday against the Houston Rockets in Dallas.
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