Joel Embiid to return to court for 76ers in Game 2 vs. Celtics barring setbacks

Freshly minted 2023 Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid is likely to make his return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series vs. the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, according to a new report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

“After winning MVP last night, during a quick 76ers celebration … Embiid turned to the team and said: ‘I’m back.'” wrote Charania. “Embiid is indeed on track to return tonight in Game 2 vs. Celtics barring setbacks. The Sixers center, who has been sidelined with an LCL sprain of his knee for just under two weeks, sat out Game 1 against the Celtics while James Harden and Tyrese Maxey carried the contest in his absence to go up 1-0 in the series without him.

There had been some speculation that Embiid might take advantage of the potential to rest with said advantage, but appears ready to try his luck with the rest he has had.

We will likely see the impact of the 2023 MVP in the series for the first time on Wednesday night — albeit perhaps a bit slow and braced up — sometime after tipoff at 8:00 pm ET this evening.