Sixers' Joel Embiid says he should return 'pretty soon' and explains 'left knee injury management' – NBC Sports Philadelphia

CAMDEN, NJ – Joel Embiid himself explained on Friday why he had to sit out at the start of the season.

Three days after the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 for their public comments regarding Embiid's status, the seven-time All-Star spoke at length about what exactly “left knee injury treatment” means.

Embiid participated fully in the Sixers' practice on Friday but will miss Saturday night's game against the Grizzlies. He said he has not suffered any setback from the left lateral meniscus injury he sustained last season.

“I had surgery in February or whatever and I came back early to fight and play for the team to give us a chance,” Embiid said. “Unfortunately we lost (to the Knicks in the playoffs). And then I had time to recover. I'm really getting along since the last operation.

“I just have to manage and try to find the best approach, but I feel pretty good. I’ve started doing some live stuff and it’s feeling pretty good, so I should be back soon.”

Embiid didn't think it made sense to give a specific return date. After playing Memphis, the Sixers begin a three-game trip to the West Coast on Monday, facing the Suns, Clippers and Lakers.

“Not necessarily, because it’s unpredictable,” he said. “You can have good days, you can have bad days, so I think it would be stupid of me to sit there and say, 'I'm playing on Tuesday.' …I'm obviously still trying to get back into shape. And I'm still coming back to myself. I have to feel 100 percent because I think I've done a lot over the years and put myself at risk for the team, which I will continue to do.

“But I think now is the time to make sure everything is good and that is the trend. It's pretty good at the moment. Everything is moving in the right direction so we can have a long season and long, great couple years.”

According to Embiid, his summer gold medal win with Basketball Team USA at the Paris Olympics did not cause any problems for his left knee.

“I think I was fine,” he said. “If you have the chance to compete for a gold medal for the United States and your country, you can't miss it. I don't care what anyone says. This is simply something you cannot miss. It felt good to win. It felt good to be part of this experience.

“I knew I didn’t have to do what I do with my team – carry the load. Honestly, I didn't do anything. … I had my little moment (against Serbia). We all did that. … I was just happy to get rebounds, set screens and roll, and get guys on offense and playing defense.

“I enjoyed doing it, so I really had nothing. I never put myself at risk of something happening. That was the lightest load I've ever had in my life. It was a great experience to have the chance to win something. And I know it means nothing to the Americans, but winning a gold medal means a lot to me and that was special.”

Just like last season, almost everything was a struggle for the Sixers without Embiid. The team went 16-27 in games he missed last year. Through their first four games, the 1-3 Sixers ranked 27th in both non-garbage time offensive rating and net rating, according to Cleaning the Glass.

They are also still waiting for the regular-season debut of Paul George, who injured his left knee in the preseason. George attended all of Friday's practice and said he expects to be back “very soon.”

What has stopped Embiid from playing so far?

“I think it’s comfortable,” he said. “I trust him. I think when I'm just out there, I want to do my best. I don't want to be in a situation where I'm like, “I'm afraid that I might do something if I do this.”… Since the last surgery, it's probably been the hardest mentally. And I think mentally that it's all about getting that trust back.

“It used to be easy. But for some reason…mentally, just trusting yourself, trusting your body. And I think that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”

Embiid vigorously pushed back against the notion that he had done anything except work diligently to return.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP cited his history of playing through discomfort and pain.

“Everyone was on the same page,” Embiid said. “If your body doesn’t respond well and your body tells you one thing… I did it. I broke my face twice. I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I had broken fingers. I came back anyway. When I see people saying he doesn't want to play… I've been through way too much.

“I've done way too much for this city and I'm putting myself at risk of people saying that, so I call it bulls—. …I've done far too much for this damn city to be treated like this. I've done way too much.

“Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other (players), but that doesn't mean I'm not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which is what I'm going to be here pretty soon.”